Tactics Time
1001 CHESS TACTICS
from the Games of Everyday Chess
Players
By Tim Brennan and Anthea Carson
http://tacticstime.com
Version 1.00
October, 2012
This material contains elements protected
under International and Federal Copyright
laws and treaties. Any unauthorized
reprint or use of this material is
prohibited.
This book is dedicated to YOU,
the chess player seeking improvement in
your game,
wanting to win more games, and take your
rating to the next level!
Tim Brennan is the creator of Tactics
Time, which started off as a column in the
quarterly Colorado Chess Informant
Magazine. Tactics Time has grown into a
blog, free e-mail newsletter, and now a
Kindle eBook! The focus has always
been on real tactics from real player
games, which Tim believes are the most
instructive and useful types of tactics to
study.
http://twitter.com/tacticstime
http://facebook.com/tacticstime
Tim@tacticstime.com
Anthea Carson is an active USCF
tournament chess player, author, blogger,
chess teacher, and mom. She is co-author
of the children’s chess book “How to Play
Chess like an Animal”, and various
thrillers, such as “The Dark Lake”.
http://twitter.com/chessanimal
https://www.facebook.com/AntheaJaneCars
nth_carson@yahoo.com
When Tim Brennan asked me to help him
pick the best puzzles from his collection
of thousands and thousands of tactics
problems from real games I didn't realize
how much I was going to gain from the
experience. Tim was the editor of the
Colorado Informant for several years, and
has written the column called “Tactics
Time” for even longer. I noticed how his
rating soared after his time editing those
tactics articles, and now I can see why.
It's not just doing puzzles. This is better,
because the games are real. This makes a
huge difference.
Everyone knows that the way to improve
at chess is to do tactics puzzles, or if they
don’t know, they should. Tactics are the
essence of chess. I have memorized
openings, spending hours learning
variation after variation only to miss a
simple two move tactic late in the game.
How frustrating is that?
I’ve also looked at my share of tactics
books. Most tactics books have skewers
and forks and discovery attacks and after a
while you become familiar with the
patterns. These are helpful books.
What I like about the tactics puzzles in
Tactics Time is that the tactics you
encounter are messy, don’t look
comfortable, aren’t always visually
pleasing. The typical tactics book has
puzzles with nice, neat tidy solutions but
these are almost never what tactics look
like in real games.
When you are used to looking at the
puzzles in most books, you are expecting
tactics to look a certain way. This can
cause you to miss the ones that appear in
real play. The tactics that show up in a
game evolve out of the position. If you
want to see the actual game that the tactic
came from, which can be interesting too,
those are also available in the database
sold at http://www.tacticstime.com.
These puzzles come from games by
average tournament or club players. In an
average game, players make mistakes all
the time. The mistakes can range from
outright blunders to subtle positional
errors that can be exploited if you know
what you’re looking for. A tactic is often
there in a position where nothing looks
wrong at all.
While I was looking through the puzzle
collection to pick the best one I saw
positions that looked like the ones I see
when I play tournaments. Since I’m an
average player, I am not typically playing
a GM or even a master. It is less likely to
encounter positions that leave open
tactical opportunities in games with player
of that strength, but the games of average
players are like tactical goldmines. These
puzzles will train you to look for tactics in
games where you might otherwise have
played your moves on autopilot.
I found myself seeing tactics I would not
otherwise have seen after working on
Tactics Time. I was amazed how many
mistakes players at the 1500 to 1800 level
make, and even many rated 1800 and
above. Studying these puzzles is
something I highly recommend. I would
advise looking at them for 10 minutes a
day for 30 days. Do that and see what the
results are in your game.
Anthea Carson
October 2012
Dedication
About the Authors
Tim Brennan
Anthea Carson
Preface
Introduction
Real Games from Real Players (Like
You!)
The Problems with Most Tactics Books
How Tactics Time 1001 Real Problems
from Real Games is Different
Brilliant on the Basics
Why No Tactics from Grandmaster
Games?
The “I Already Know That” Problem
With Chess Tactics Knowing is Only
Half the Battle
Final Comments
Thank You!
1001 Chess Tactics from the Real Games
of Everyday Players
PROBLEMS 100-199
PROBLEMS 200-299
PROBLEMS 300-399
PROBLEMS 400-499
PROBLEMS 500-599
PROBLEMS 600-699
PROBLEMS 700-799
PROBLEMS 800-899
PROBLEMS 900-1001
Final Thoughts
Questions Or Comments?
Don’t Forget
One Last Thing…
Let me ask you a question…
Have you ever fumbled an important chess
game?
Be honest with me here.
I want to know:
…have you ever been winning a game,
only to blow it after you missed a simple
two-move combination?
…have you ever spent hours, days or even
months studying a chess book only to later
realize that you didn’t gain a single rating
point from all that time and effort…and
possibly even lost rating points?
…have you ever lost to a weaker
opponent who you know you should’ve
crushed?
…have you ever felt as if you can’t
improve at chess, and are “stuck” in class
player hell?
…have you ever felt that you should be
better at chess, given how much time,
energy and money you have spent on it?
…have you ever been beaten by a kid that
only recently started playing? You might
even have felt angry or humiliated because
you have been playing for years, possibly
before this kid was even born.
…have you ever missed an obvious
move–or hung a piece for no reason–and
just wanted to kick yourself afterward?
…have you ever had a chess loss keep
you up at night?
…have you ever felt that your friends or
opponents do not take you seriously as a
chess player?
…have you ever missed “simple” one- or
two-move tactics in your games?
…have you spent dozens, possibly
hundreds or thousands of hours studying
chess, but still haven’t reached your
goals?
…have you ever felt like there has to be
an easier way?
…have you ever felt that you’re not
playing up to your potential?
…have you ever had your rating stay
basically the same for years, despite
playing often?
…have you ever felt like just throwing in
the towel and giving up because it seems
like NOTHING will work…and that you
should just accept it?
Sound familiar?
If you answered “YES” to any of the
above questions then I have some
important news for you:
You are in the right place , and this is the
right chess book for you.
Real Games from Real Players
(Like You!)
This chess tactics book is different than
any you have ever seen.
Why?
It is because all of the problems in it were
taken from the games of real amateur
chess players like you and me .
Many chess players have heard the often
repeated idea that it is a good idea to
study chess tactics if you want to improve,
and that “tactics are 99% of chess”.
Michael de la Maza wrote a brilliant
article called “400 points in 400 days” for
chesscafe.com, where he pointed out that
most class player games are decided by
simple tactics, and that the study of chess
tactics, and nothing but tactics, are the
fastest way to improve your game .
De la Maza pointed out that there is a
difference between “chess knowledge”
and “chess ability”, which had a profound
effect on how I saw the game of chess.
This book is totally focused on improving
your “chess ability” – i.e. your ability to
win games, and gain rating points.
You will not learn any fancy new chess
terms after going through this book, but
you will develop strong habits of looking
for the best move in each position, never
overlooking the “obvious”, and always
considering your opponent’s threats,
which will cause you to win more games,
and raise your rating.
While it is true that the study of chess
tactics is the fastest way to improve your
chess rating, there are some major
problems with the chess tactics problems
that most chess books, software,
magazines and website contain today,
which this book addresses.
The biggest problem of all is that they are
not real!
Most of them contain way too many queen
sacrifices, smothered mates, and all kinds
of “cool moves”.
Let me tell you a brief story…
In 2004 I became editor of the Colorado
Chess Informant, the official state
magazine for the Colorado Chess
Association.
I decided I wanted to have a tactics
column in there, and started a column
called “Tactics Time”, which continues to
this day. This quarterly column later grew
into a chess blog, award winning e-mail
newsletter, and now this eBook that you
are reading.
When I started my tactics column I wanted
it to include games and positions from
players in Colorado. I pictured having a
column full of the same types of problems
that I had been working on in Fred
Reinfeld’s classic 1001 tactics books. So
I started collecting score sheets, entering
games by hand into the computer, and
looking at them closely.
What I found was shocking!
Most of these games, even by “good”
players, were being won by very
primitive means. Players would play
well for 20-30 moves, then “fall asleep at
the wheel”, and then miss a simple one or
two move combination.
Many of these blunders were so bad, I
couldn’t really even call them “tactics”,
and they were too easy for me to publish
in the column. There was rarely anything
even close to the beautiful tactics in
Reinfeld’s books.
As I started looking at more and more
games, I saw this happening ALL the
time. But nobody was talking about it!
Chess players were talking in between
rounds about how they were reading and
studying “How to Reassess Your Chess”,
and were then losing their next game to a
simple knight fork.
Articles in Chess Life never mentioned
these things happening. NM Dan Heisman
in his Novice Nook column on
chesscafe.com was the only person I ever
saw even mention these types of things. It
was like the dirty secret of the chess
world.
I started to collect more and more games.
I became like a chess archeologist,
digging in the waste baskets to collect
barely legible score sheets filled with
hieroglyphics in algebraic notation.
Sometimes people would send me a game
to publish in the magazine, but this would
only be their most brilliant victories.
Nobody ever sent in a game where they
lost to a two move tactic that they missed,
and their opponent saw.
Eventually, I took some time off from
chess, and then came back to it a few
years later.
After my return to the chess world, what I
found was depressing.
Most players had made absolutely no
improvement, and despite spending
hundreds of hours playing and possibly
studying, were still missing these same 12 move tactics, and their rating had not
gone up at all.
While I may sound like I am being hard on
these players for not improving, in reality
it is not their fault.
The Problems with Most
Tactics Books
The truth is that even if you do study a lot
of the existing chess books out there, they
are not going to help as much as they
should.
This book attempts to cure to the chronic
chess disease known as “class player
hell”.
As mentioned above, part of the problem
is that the problems these players study
are not real.
The answers always come out perfectly.
Every piece is in a perfect location for the
combination to work.
The queen sac is followed by a double
discovered check, with mate the next
move.
It is just like a TV sitcom that has a nice
predictable ending where everything is
resolved right at the top of the hour.
In the real world
- Positions are messy.
- Pawn structures are screwed up.
- Material is uneven.
- The openings are dubious.
- Pieces are hanging at the end of
variations.
- Not everything works out perfectly.
Most chess authors don’t want to take the
time to create their own chess problems. It
is much easier to just recycle the problems
that appeared in your grandfather’s chess
books.
Most chess authors don’t want to take the
time to collect thousands of amateur chess
games, and then look to see what types of
errors are happening in their game, and
then present these errors as problems for
you to solve.
Most chess authors pick out the most
interesting and exciting problems for you
to solve, even though they almost never
happen and are very rare - making them
almost useless.
Studying these types of positions can form
bad habits where you automatically
believe that every position requires a
piece sacrifice, and you end up missing
much simpler options, like a piece that is
hanging.
We take the completely different
approach.
I had one customer of my chess database,
Matt, tell me
“The really sad part of all of this? I’ve
done over 10,000 <popular chess
website> Tactics, and while I’m great at
finding smothered mates and crazy queen
sacrifices my Chess hasn’t improved that
much...”
Sure smothered mates and queen
sacrifices are good to know, and a lot of
fun to solve. You get a nice “Ah Ha!”
feeling after you solve one. They just
don’t translate into real world victories
for you.
If you have limited time and energy to
devote to chess, you want to study the
types of positions that are happening all
the time! Pins, forks, overloaded pieces,
double attacks, back rank mates, loose and
under defended pieces.
How Tactics Time 1001 Real
Problems from Real Games is
Different
This book takes “the good, the bad, and
the ugly” positions of amateur chess, and
puts them out there “warts and all”.
I have to warn you that many of the
problems in this book are not the types of
chess problems that you may be used to
solving. Some will be simple for you, and
some you will get wrong, and will think to
yourself “How did I miss such an EASY
problem!”
This can be very annoying and frustrating.
The main point of this book is to get you in
the habit of looking for the best move on
every turn, to get good at doing an analysis
of what is going on in a position, and to
present lots of positions from real games
so that you build your pattern recognition.
If you have formed bad habits solving the
traditional chess tactics that are out there
that can turn you into a queen sacrificing
machine, this book will help you fix those.
None of these problems are designed to be
“tricky”, or fool you, or be clever. They
are all real. Just find the best move in
each position – that’s it.
You aren’t going to see problems where
the solution is to under promote a pawn to
a bishop, because moves like this happen
one in a million games.
Brilliant on the Basics
A quick story…
When Vince Lombardi took over the
Green Bay Packers (NFL American
Football team), he was asked if he was
going to change the players, the plays, the
training, or other key aspects of the team.
He replied, ''I'm not going to change
anything; we are simply going to become
brilliant on the basics.''
The Green Bay Packers had been doing
poorly for some years. In his first meeting
with the team, Lombardi famously picked
up a football and said, ''Gentleman, this is
a football.''
From then on, Lombardi concentrated on
the basics, running drills aimed at making
his team faster and more effective at
executing plays than any other team. By
following this philosophy the Green Bay
Packers won five NFL championships
including the first two Super Bowls.
Consistent with the Lombardi method, one
of the keys to success in chess is to
become "brilliant on the basics", and is
the focus of this book.
Why No Tactics from
Grandmaster Games?
A common piece of advice given to
aspiring chess players is to look at the
tactics and positions from Grandmaster
games. While this is not horrible advice,
the types of positions that occur in
Grandmaster games versus amateur games
is like comparing the 100 meter dash at
the Olympics to a bunch of third graders
playing “tag” at recess!
I believe that if you want to get good at
playing against class players, the best way
to do this is to look at the types of tactics
and mistakes that are happening in their
games, and learn from them, and apply
them in your own games.
This book contains all sorts of interesting
positions that you will never see at the
Grandmaster level, but happen all the time
in the “trenches” of class player games.
“Miniatures” that lasted less than 20
moves, crazy unsound gambits, attack
formations such as the “Fishing Pole”,
flagrant violations of positional ideals,
cheap traps, oversights and swindles.
The “I Already Know That”
Problem
After looking at some of the problems in
this book, you might think “I already know
this stuff”, or “this is too easy for me” or
“this is just for beginners”.
I call this the “I already know that
problem”, and think that this mindset is
one of the biggest things that prevents
chess players from getting better and
winning more games.
What happens is that a chess player
decides that they are going to learn chess,
and so they go out and buy a book like
“Chess for Dummies” or “The Idiot’s
Guide to Chess” (both of which are
excellent places to start).
They read about tactical ideas such as
- the knight fork
- pin
- back rank mate
- etc.
So now they think “I know what a knight
fork is!”
And they think they are now ready for
more “advanced materials”.
They may even jump all the way to
something like “How to Reassess Your
Chess”, which is a very popular, but fairly
advanced chess book.
Now they think “Wow, now I REALLY
know a lot about chess!”
They then
- head down to the local chess club,
- set up their pieces,
- shake their opponent’s hand,
- start their clock,
- start the game armed with all of their
new ideas,
And proceed to miss a knight fork on
move 14!
And they are quite mad as a result!
What happened here?
After all, they know what a knight fork is.
And knowing is half the battle!
Unfortunately what G.I. Joe didn’t tell you
is that the other half of the battle is being
able to apply that knowledge!
With Chess Tactics Knowing is
Only Half the Battle
There is a difference between knowing
something, and being able to APPLY that
knowledge.
Neurolinguist Programming (NLP) expert
Wyatt Woodsmall has an interesting idea:
LEARNING = BEHAVIOR CHANGE
If your behavior didn’t change, you didn’t
learn anything.
Wyatt also has a great quote:
“The greatest enemy of learning is the
belief that we already know.”
The “I get it” mechanism drives us to
figure things out, which is very powerful
and very important.
But then, once we get the feeling that we
figured it out, we say, “Okay, I get that.
Now, I can go on to the next thing.”
When you feel like you get something, but
you don’t, that’s when you’re the most in
danger.
The challenge with chess tactics is that the
basic ideas are fairly simple. There are
only a few basic tactical ideas. So it is
easy for a chess player to think “I know
that”.
But the real power is knowing these ideas
inside and out, backwards and forwards.
And then applying the ideas TOGETHER,
which really makes them powerful.
For example combining the idea of a pin
and a back rank mate threat.
Or combining the idea of a fork and an
overloaded piece.
The other challenge is that players think
they know these ideas already, but they
really do not.
I remember looking at a game from a
friend of mine a few years ago. He
missed a simple knight fork. I told him that
he needed to work on knight forks. He
was resistant to doing this, because he felt
he “already knew what a knight fork
was”. I told him that obviously you don’t
since you missed it in this game!
When I looked at the game the knight fork
just jumped out at me. I couldn’t avoid
seeing it. It would have been like seeing
the bat mobile roaring down the street.
There is no way I could have missed it!
This is the level that you want to get to
with your chess tactics.
You want the chess tactics in your game to
just pop out at you!
This book will help you achieve that.
Final Comments
This book assumes that you already know
the basics of chess (how the pieces
move), terms such as “pin”, “fork”,
“skewer”, and how to read algebraic
notation. If you need a refresher,
Wikipedia has a lot of free information on
the game,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess.
Problems are given from the point of view
of the side to move. If it is Black to move,
the board is shown from Black’s
perspective.
Each solution is given on a separate page
following the problem. The Kindle
previewer doesn’t show this, but the page
breaks will show up in your Kindle
reader.
Also, be sure to sign up for the Tactics
Time e-mail newsletter. It is free, and
comes out about 3 times a week with a
new chess problem for you to solve, a fun
quote, chess improvement tips, and the
complete game score. The main focus is
on chess improvement and pattern
recognition, and like this book has tons of
positions that are new and never seen
before. You can see newsletter samples,
and sign up at http://tacticstime.com.You
can contact us there as well if you have
any questions, comments or feedback.
Good luck and have fun with this book.
Happy Tactics!
Tim Brennan
Anthea Carson
October 2012
Thank You!
Please be kind and review this book on
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Thank you so much!
(1) Black to move
10...Bb4+ unleashes the "Atomic Bomb"
of chess, the Double Discovered check.
After either 11. Kf1 or 11. Kd1 black
mates with 11…Re1#.
From the game Marvinni (1553) vs Joan
Barrina (1432), Open Invite,
redhotpawn.com, November 1, 2009.
(2) White to move
25.Nxd5 Rxd5 26. Qxd5 cxd5 27. Rxc7
Rxc7 28. Rxc7 wins a piece for white,
taking advantage of the pinned c pawn and
the battery of rooks on the c file.
From the game Paul Anderson (1782) vs
Scott Sills (1048), Colorado Springs
Open, Round 1, March 6, 2004
(3) Black to move
10...Nf3# is a smothered mate often seen
in the trappy Blackburne Shilling Gambit
variation of the Italian game.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackburne_Sh
From the game M. Jules (1386) vs
Marsdog (1449), May 2010 Sprint 64,
July 24, 2010
(4) Black to move
13...Re8 pins the White Queen to the King
Variation from the game Jordan Lam (390)
– Zachary Ameri (unrated), goodwin03
bcc, Round 7
(5) White to move
27.Qe8+!! Got a double exclam from
Deep Rybka 4.1 and leads to checkmate
after 27...Rxe8 28. Rxe8 Kg7 29. Bf8+
Kg8 (or Kh8) 30. Bh6#
From the game Charles Riordan (2320) vs
Edward Epp (2020), Round 1, MCC
Holiday Swiss, December 5, 2006
(6) Black to move
30...Rxc4 discovers an attack on the white
bishop on b6. After 31. bxc4 Bxb6 black
has two bishops for the rook.
From the game Paul Anderson (1782) vs
Jeff Fox (1845) March Quad Colorado
Springs, Round 1, March 16, 2004.
(7) White to move
26.Qxd5 wins the under defended pawn
that was defended once, and attacked
twice, and also attacks the undefended
rook on a8. If black recaptures with
26...Qxd5 white forks the King and Rook
with 27. Bxd5
From the game Shaun MacMillan (2005)
vs Paul Anderson (1782), March Quad
Colorado Springs, Round 2, March 16,
2004.
(8) White to move
25.Nd7 forks the two rooks. If 25...Qxd7
26. Bxe5+ causes a lot of problems for
Black, who has to give up their queen to
get out of check with either 26...Qg7 or
26...dxe5 (the d pawn is now pinned to the
black queen). White either wins the
exchange (knight for rook), or more.
From the game Shaun MacMillan (2005)
vs Paul Anderson (1782), March Quad
Colorado Springs, Round 2, March 16,
2004.
(9) White to move
26.Nxe4 wins a pawn. If 26…Rxe4
27.Rxf8#
This move was missed in the game Paul
Anderson (1741) vs Jeff Fox (1829),
Round 4, Cabin Fever Reliever, February
17, 2004. Instead White played 26. Rxf8
and the game later ended in a draw.
(10) Black to move
49...Bc7 blocks the attack from the rook
on c8 on the runaway c pawn, and clears a
path so that pawn “COULD. GO. ALL.
THE. WAY.” Black will queen their
pawn first after 50…c2 and 51…c1=Q
Variation from the game Paul Anderson
(1782) vs Imre Barlay (1997), Denker
Fundraiser, Round 2, April 3, 2004.
(11) White to move
24.Rc3 puts the queen between a rock and
a hard place. The only safe square for the
queen is g5, but this allows for 25. Rg1
pinning and winning the queen.
Variation from the game Paul Anderson
(1768) vs Andy Rea (2052), Round 2,
Southern Colorado Open, June 12, 2004.
(12) Black to move
47...Rc3+ forces a trade of rooks, leading
black to an easily won endgame.
From the game Paul Anderson (1768) vs
Andy Rea (2052), Round 2, Southern
Colorado Open, June 12, 2004.
(13) White to move
19.Rxg6+ gets the rook away from the f
pawn that is attacking it, and wins a pawn
due to the fact that the f pawn is pinned by
the bishop. The f pawn being pinned to
the black king by white's light square
bishop is a pattern that comes up very
frequently, and is a good one to
memorize. 19. Rd6 forking the Queen and
Bishop is also a good move.
From the game Jesse Hester (1880) vs
Paul Anderson (1768), Round 5, Southern
Colorado Open, June 13, 2004.
(14) Black to move
32...Rgg2 puts "pigs on the 7th" - which is
a powerful weapon. White will not be
able to avoid mate. For example 33. Rf1
Rh2+ 34. Kg1 Reg2#
This move was missed the game Paul
Anderson (1768) vs Jeff Gilchrist (1532),
June Mating Game, Round 4, June 22,
2004. Black instead played 32…Rxb2,
which is still good, and scored a nice
upset.
(15) Black to move
36...Rh3+ leads to mate 37. Kg1 Rh1#
Also from the game Paul Anderson (1768)
vs Jeff Gilchrist (1532), June Mating
Game, Round 4, June 22, 2004.
(16) White to move
52.Be5+ forks the King and Rook
From the game Paul Anderson (1761) vs
Renae Delaware (1373), Pikes Peak
Open, Round 1, August 7, 2004
(17) Black to move
71...Nd3 was a winning move that was
missed in the game. It attacks and will
win the e5 pawn. If this pawn moves
forward with e6, then Nc5+ forks the King
and Pawn. If the pawn does nothing,
black just takes it. The e pawn is won
either way.
From the game Joe Haines (1564) – Paul
Anderson (1799), Winter Springs Open,
Round 1, December 4, 2004.
(18) Black to move
11...Bg4# is an interesting mate where
both sides are using the idea “The best
defense is a good offense” to the extreme.
From the game Sandip Srinivas (762) vs
Michael Allen III (unrated), Goodwin03
BCC
(19) White to move
25.Qh6+ sets up a good mating pattern to
know. 25...Kg8 26. Be6#
From the game Jason Caldwell (1987) vs
Paul Anderson (1857), March Quad
Colorado Springs, Round 1, March 29,
2005.
(20) Black to move
18...e4, which was missed in the game,
blocks the bishop's defense of the knight
on f5, and attacks it at the same time.
White cannot save both, and will lose a
piece.
From the game Tom Mullikin (1027) vs
Paul Anderson (1857), Round 3, March
Quad Colorado Springs, March 29, 2005
(21) White to move
16.Bf5 skewers the Black Queen and
Rook.
From the game Roderick Santiago (1632)
vs Paul Anderson (1859), Springs
Fundraiser, Round 2, April 2, 2005.
(22) White to move
41.Rd8+ sets up 41...Kg8 42. Qe4+
forking the King and Knight if 42...Nf5 43.
Rd5 forking the pinned knight and the
queen. Black will lose the knight.
Variation from the game Roderick
Santiago (1632) vs Paul Anderson
(1859), Springs Fundraiser, Round 2,
April 2, 2005.
(23) Black to move
41...Nd4+ forks the King and Queen.
White blundered with 41. e4?? on the
previous move allowing this fork.
From the game Roderick Santiago (1632)
vs Paul Anderson (1859), Springs
Fundraiser, Round 2, April 2, 2005.
(24) White to move
10.Qc6+ deflects the black queen from her
protection of the rook on a8. 10...Qd7 is
the only way to get out of check, but
allows 11. Qxa8+ which wins the rook.
From the game Timmybx (1779) vs Jmm
(1264) 2011 Championship,
redhotpawn.com,
(25) White to move
13.Ne5+ unpins itself from the white
queen, and forks the King and Bishop
From the game Timmybx (1708) vs British
Telecom (1109), Ladder,
redhotpawn.com, December 21, 2009
(26) White to move
17.Qg7# checkmating on black's weak
dark squares.
From the game Kingkingy (1439) vs Ian
Lowe (987), Challenge, redhotpawn.com,
October 08, 2009
(27) Black to move
22...Nxe4 wins a pawn that is hanging,
centralizes the knight, which was hanging,
and double attacks the queen on f2 and
pawn on c3. Nothing tricky about this
one.
From the game Paul Anderson (1859) –
Anthea Carson (1671), Springs
Fundraiser, April 2, 2005, Round 4
(28) White to move
12.Bg5 pins the knight to the queen. Black
cannot add a second defender to this
piece.
From the game Marnic (1816) – Gbsalvio
(1852), rated blitz match, August 7, 2007
(29) Black to move
11...Ne2# is an example of Anastasia's
mate. This checkmate got its name from
the novel Anastasia und das Schachspiel
by Johann Jakob Wilhelm Heinse.
From the game Markrenton (1850) –
Gbsalvio (1832), rated blitz match,
August 7, 2007
(30) White to move
48.Qh5+ skewers the King and Queen.
Black cannot get out of check and still
protect the queen.
From the game Larry Wutt (1860) vs
Anthony Cordova (1477), 2008 Colorado
Open, Round 1, August 31, 2008
(31) Black to move
13...Qh2# is a typical mating pattern in the
Fishing Pole attack variation of the Roy
Lopez
From the game I. Vegar (2058) – Brian
Wall (2306), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club,
May 25, 2004
(32) Black to move
16...Na3# is a cute checkmate
From the game Fred Spell (1255) vs Paul
Anderson (1821), Round 1, Pikes Peak
Open, August 6, 2005.
(33) Black to move
38...Ng3 threatens the queen on e2 and a
deadly "hook mate" pattern with Rf1+
From the game Isaac Martinez vs Tim
Brennan October 2011 East coast Deli,
Colorado Springs
(34) Black to move
17...Ng4 creates a discovered attack on
the black queen, which cannot move and
still defend both the bishop on e3 and the
knight on a4
From the game jooler (1262) vs
ZugZwangMVB (1825), FICS rated blitz
game, October 8, 2011
(35) White to move
22.b6 pushes the dangerous passed pawn,
which black has no easy way to stop. For
example 22. b6 Rc8 23. b7 Rb8 24. Rfc1
From the game jooler (1262) vs
ZugZwangMVB (1825), FICS rated blitz
game, October 8, 2011
(36) Black to move
12...Rh1+ Is a typical crazy position from
the Fishing Pole attack. Black has given
up a piece for the attack, and continues the
"sac, sac, mate" with 1...Rh1+ 2.Kxh1
Qh4+ 3.Kg1 g3 4.Nd6+ Kf8 5.Qh5 Qxh5
6.Re1 Qh2+ 7.Kf1 Qh1#
This variation is long, because white has
some checks, and gives up his queen to
delay the mate, but the pattern is a good
one to know.
From the game ROOKSOFROCKS (1365)
– jooler (1269), August 20, 2011, FICS
rated blitz game
(37) Black to move
15...Qh7 This position is very similar to
#36, but here there is no reason to sac the
rook. 15…Qh7 creates a battery that
cannot be stopped, only delayed.
From the game ROOKSOFROCKS (1365)
– jooler (1269), August 20, 2011, FICS
rated blitz game
(38) White to move
5.Qxf7# is a good old fashioned Scholar's
Mate,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scholar%27s_
From the game Larry New Holy (574) –
Taylor Schlotterbeck (160), Winter Open
Under 800 Rapid, Round 5, February 6,
2010.
(39) White to move
16.Bc5 attacks the knight on b4 and sets
up a discovered check with Nxc8 on the
next move. Black cannot stop both threats
at the same time.
From the game Sandor Kustar (2363) vs
Mark Derby (1633), 2009 Black Hills
Chess Festival, Round 1, November 7,
2009.
(40) Black to move
Black infiltrates the dark squares with
22...Qf2+ Kh1 Qh2#
From the game Loretta Notareschi
(unrated) – Ty Thompson (1550), October
18, 2011, Denver Chess Club, Round 3
(41) Black to move
28...Rc1+ leads to a simple back rank
mate after 29.Rd1 Rxd1 where the black
bishop helps cover the h3 escape square.
From the game Abraham Grinberg (1060)
– Phillip Brown (1641), October 18,
2011, Denver Chess Club, Round 3,
(42) White to move
26.Bg5 pins and wins the rook to the
queen.
From the game Ahriel Godoy (1404) –
Andre Patin (1642), October 18, 2011,
Denver Chess Club, Round 3
(43) White to move
29.Re8+ White has two attractive looking
checks here, but 29. Re8+ is better. If
29…Rf8 30.Qe6+ followed by
31.Rxf8#. If 29…Kf7 30.Qd7#
From the game Ahriel Godoy (1404) –
Andre Patin (1642), October 18, 2011,
Denver Chess Club, Round 3
(44) Black to move
25...Rxd5 keeps it simple, and trades
down into a winning endgame. Material
is even, but white's pawns are such an
isolated and doubled mess, that black will
have no trouble winning.
From the game Justin Alter (1529) vs
Randy Schine (1690), October 18, 2011,
Denver Chess Club, Round 3
(45) Black to move
29...g5 makes it difficult for white to make
any progress in this position, because of
his doubled and isolated pawns.
From the game Justin Alter (1529) vs
Randy Schine (1690), October 18, 2011,
Denver Chess Club, Round 3
(46) White to move
18.Nxf7# Is a nice smothered mate (and
forks the king and queen for extra style
points).
From the game MrSamsonite - tamachi,
Rated Game http://en.lichess.org/
November 7, 2011.
(47) White to move
13.Rxh7!! is a beautiful move that attacks
the rook on h8, and removes the defender
of the g6 pawn. If 13...Rxh7 14.Qg6+
picks up a second pawn, forks the King
and Rook, and forms a dangerous mating
net around the Black King.
From the game ZonaGrad (1956) vs
Libellule (1376), July 2011 Threesomes,
redhotpawn.com
(48) Black to move
32...a5# is a cute mate with an assassin
pawn.
From the game Macroman (1634) –
mikelom (2009), Clan challenge,
November 17, 2010, redhotpawn.com
(49) Black to move
36...d2 Pushes the pawn and white will
have no way to stop it from becoming a
queen.
This move was missed in the game
DuWayne Langseth – Paul Anderson,
Colorado Springs Chess Club
Championship, November 1, 2011
(50) Black to move
17...c4 is a discovered attack, which
attacks the bishop on e3 and the queen on
b3 at the same time.
This move was missed in the game David
Hartsook (2077) – Ahriel Godoy (1404),
October 10, 2011, Denver Chess Club,
Round 2. Black played 17…g5?? instead.
(51) White to move
16.Nxe6 defects the queen away from
defending the b7 pawn, which would
allow white to win the rook on a8. For
example, 16. Nxe6 Qxe6 17. Bxb7 Nbc6
18. Bxa8.
Variation from the game RevRSleeker
(2179) – hunterknox (1609), Challenge
redhotpawn.com, February 10, 2009
(52) Black to move
40...b6 puts white in an interesting
zugszwang. White has only two moves
after this, b3 or b4. After 41. b3 41. Kxc3
42. b4 Kc4 43. b5 Kc5 44. Kb3 Kxb5.
This one is challenging, and is a good one
to set up on a real board and play out if
you have trouble seeing it. In the real
game white imploded, and ended up
losing and getting mated after 40…b6 41.
b4 c6 42. b5 cxb5#
From the game Nallapuh (1910) vs rcstas
(1490), clan challenge, December 14,
2005, redhotpawn.com
(53) White to move
22.Rxe4+ sets up an absolute pin. After
22…Bxe4 23. Re1 White will win the
bishop with 24. f3.
From the game cashthetrash (1536) vs
JS357 (1587), Challenge
timeforchess.com, February 8, 2009
(54) White to move
9.Qxc6+ forks the Knight and King and
"LPDO" - Loose Pieces Drop Off.
From the game Sandip Srinivas (762)
Jorden Lam (390), goodwin03 bcc, Round
2
(55) Black to move
41...g5+ and mate after 42.Rxg5 fxg5#
From the game cashthetrash (1536) vs
JS357 (1587), Challenge
timeforchess.com, February 8, 2009
(56) White to move
9.Qf7+ and a pretty mate the next move
after 9…Qxf7 10.exf7.
From the game morgski (1841) vs jolivos
(1565), Open invite redhotpawn.com,
August 30, 2006.
(57) White to move
10.Nf6# the knight smirks to the queen and
says "I got this" and delivers smothered
mate all by himself. On the previous
move which was 9...Nbc6?? Fritz
annotated this move as "strolling merrily
down the path to disaster".
From the game Tim Brennan (1769) - Eric
Massey (1373), Regis Jesuit Grand Prix
#6, Round 3, February 24, 2007
(58) Black to move
25...f3 threatens the queen on e2 and
double attacks the vulnerable pawn on g2.
If 26.Qxf3 Qxf3 and the g pawn cannot
recapture because it is pinned.
From the game johnny mac (1480) vs Luck
(1545), October 2011 One Zero Split
1550-1575, Round 1
(59) Black to move
5...Bxb5 wins a piece. If 6. Nxb5 Qe5+
forks the knight and King.
From the game Babis14 (1553) vs artekmc
(1778), Let’s Play! Chess.com, November
10, 2008
(60) White to move
15.Qg4 threatens mate on g7. If 15…g6,
white plays 16.Qxg6+, because the f7
pawn is pinned, and mate the next move.
From the game Luck (1545) vs johnny mac
(1480), October 2011 One Zero Split
1550-1575, redhotpawn.com
(61) White to move
38.Qf4+ is a close range fork of King and
Knight
Missed in the game Babis14 (1553) vs
artekmc (1778) Let’s Play! Chess.com,
November 10, 2008. White played 38. a5
instead, missing a chance to win a piece
and simplify into a winning endgame.
(62) Black to move
7...Nxb5 After 8.Bxb5 Qa5+ wins a
piece. This is a very valuable tactical
pattern to know. Early queen checks in the
opening on the a and h files are great at
picking up loose pieces on the 4th and 5th
ranks.
In the game Black played the first move of
the combination with 7…Nxb5, but
missed the kill shot Qa5+, and played the
boring and passive a6?? instead.
Remember to “check all checks!”
From the game paulwall (1221) vs rolef
(1451), winner takes all, October 29,
2008.
(63) Black to move
32...Bg4 forks the two white rooks.
From the game paulwall (1221) vs rolef
(1451), winner takes all, October 29,
2008.
(64) White to move
15.Nd7+ is a nice discount double check
that leads to mate after 15…Ka8 (only
move) 16.Nb6+!! axb6 (only move)
17.Qa4#
From the game jxd (1925) – Orentas
(1367), Let’s Play! Chess.com, August 9,
2007
(65) Black to move
36...Nb4+ Forks King and Rook.
From the game aatef (1342) –
akhockeyplaya07 (1429), Let’s Play!
Chess.com, September 12, 2007
(66) Black to move
18...Qd6 threatens mate on h2 and the
knight on c5. White cannot defend both
threats.
From the game GomeZeta (1477) vs
scurry (1978), Reg Reg Big 3, Round 1,
January 28, 2009
(67) Black to move
22...Qg4 puts white in position to
infiltrate the light squares. No need for
anything crazy here.
From the game GomeZeta (1477) vs
scurry (1978), Reg Reg Big 3, Round 1,
January 28, 2009
(68) White to move
32.Re3 forks the Queen and Knight.
From the game lithium11 (1696) –
papillons (1501), Mental warfare ^_^,
November 24, 2008
(69) White to move
38.Qf4+ Black is in big trouble with their
king stuck in the middle. 34. Qf4+ Be4
(1... Re4 2. Rd3#) (1... Kd5 2. c4+ Kc6 3.
Rxe6+) 2. Rd3#
Missed in the game johnny mac (1480) vs
Leellen (1207), October 2011 Hardcore
Grand, Round 1, October 15. 2011
(70) Black to move
34...Nd3+ forks the King and Rook, and
forces white to give up the exchange.
From the gam johnny mac (1480) –
wdbailey (1388), October 2011 Hardcore
Grand I, Round 1
(71) Black to move
11...Nxf2 deflects the white king and forks
the white rook and queen. If 12. Kxf2 then
12…d3+ discovers an attack on the king
by the bishop, winning back the sacrificed
piece, and creating a mating net around the
white king.
From the game Philip Semenenko (1103)
– comet (1412), goodwin03 bcc, Round 3
(72) White to move
39.b4 prevents black from doing the
"Every Russian Schoolboy knows"
endgame trick with three pawns facing
each other. If instead white would play
39. Kxe6 black can get a passed pawn
with 39…b4 (although white is still
winning).
From the game johnny mac (1480) –
Marko Krale (1752), October 2011
Hardcore Grand I, Round 1
(73) Black to move
11...Ng4 threatens mate on h2 and
discovers an attack on the bishop on g5 at
the same time.
From the game johnny mac (1480) dinc168 (1342), October 2011 Hardcore
Grand I, Round 1
(74) White to move
27.Nh6# Is a nice mate with knight and
queen working well together.
From the game osama98 (2121) –
Ayodele (1599), Let’s Play! Chess.com,
May 6, 2009
(75) White to move
38.Bxg7+and mate after 38…Rxg7
39.Qxg7#
From the game marcb0872 (1202) vs
johnny mac (1480), October 2011
Hardcore Grand 1
(76) Black to move
26...Rdxf2 grabs the f pawn that was
attacked 3 times and only defended once,
and is threatening lots of dangerous
double and discovered checks. Note that
29…Rfxf2 doesn't work, because the rook
on d2 is under attack, and black has
nothing after 29…Rfxf2 30.Rxd2 Rxd2+
31.Kh1.
From the game longstreet (1487) vs
JoseBenavidesG (1441), Let’s Play
Chess.com, August 25, 2009
(77) White to move
11.Qh8+ Kf7 12.Ne5# is a nice mate with
knight and queen working together like
Batman and Robin. In the game White
played 11. Qh8+ but then traded queens,
missing the mate in one.
From happybvr (1309) vs johnny mac
(1480), October 2011, Hardcore Grand I,
Round 1
(78) Black to move
15...Bf8 removes the defender of the
knight, which is also pinned to the rook.
Neither piece can move and defend the
other.
From happybvr (1309) vs johnny mac
(1480), October 2011, Hardcore Grand I,
Round 1
(79) White to move
55.Kg6 turns the king into an offensive
weapon, forcing the knight to move, and
give up protection of the g5 pawn.
From the game RookGrabber (1925) vs
johnny mac (1480), Ladder,
redhotpawn.com, October 10, 2011
(80) Black to move
27...Rf7+ gets the black king out of check,
and also puts the white king in a
discovered check at the same time,
winning the white queen on the next
move. You did notice you were in check,
right ;-)
From the game longstreet (1487) –
JoseBenavidesG (1441), Let’s Play!
Chess.com, August 25, 2009
(81) Black to move
27...Qd4+ forks the white king and rook
on a1.
From the game Uncle Stosh (1407) vs
johnny mac (1480), October 1, 2011 Octet
1, Round 1, redhotpawn.com
(82) White to move
42.Qh8+ Rh7 43. Qxf6+ Kh5 44. Qg5#
From the game Pawn_for_Hire (1810) vs
Quicknight (1674), 1st Rectangular
Grapple, Round 1, January 2, 2009
(83) White to move
15.Nh5 adds another attacker to the
pinned knight on f6, and clears the path for
the rook on g1 which indirectly pins the g7
pawn to the king.
From the game PAWN RIOT (2301) johnny mac (1480), May 2001
Threesomes III, Round 2, September 25,
2011, redhotpawn.com
(84) White to move
10.Bxh6 picks up a pawn, while
discovering an attack on the black queen.
These types of tactics come up often when
white castles queenside.
From the game Quanto (1468) - johnny
mac (1480), Clan challenge, September
18, 2011, redhotpawn.com
(85) White to move
40.Kd2 cuts off all the squares for the
black king. When the king has no squares,
any check will be mate. Cutting off
squares is often better than giving a check,
and just chasing the king around. After
Kd2 white is threatening Rd6#
From the game Quanto (1468) - johnny
mac (1480), Clan challenge, September
18, 2011, redhotpawn.com
(86) White to move
43.Nd3+ discovers an attack on black's
last remaining piece, the knight on h5.
When your opponent won't resign, little
tactics like this can save you time and
energy to help end the game quickly.
From the game Quanto (1468) - johnny
mac (1480), Clan challenge, September
18, 2011, redhotpawn.com
(87) Black to move
21...Rd8 causes Admiral Ackbar to
exclaim "It's a Trap!" The White Queen is
trapped, with no safe squares.
From the game johnny mac (1480) sardodos (1463), Clan challenge,
September 16, 2011, redhotpawn.com
(88) White to move
White mates after 31.Qe8+ Rg8
32.Qxg8#
From the game sardodos (1463) - johnny
mac (1480), Clan challenge, September
16, 2011, redhotpawn.com
(89) White to move
20.Nxd6 is a simple move that gets the
knight out of trouble (it was hanging on
f5), wins a pawn that was under defended,
forks the rook and bishop, and offers a
discovered attack from the rook on the
queen if it moves on the next turn.
From the game learningdad (1409) vs
nedsmar (1590), ‘Legends on the block’
tournament, July 7, 2009
(90) White to move
11.Nb5 discovers an attack on the queen
on c7 and the knight on e4. If 11…Qc6 to
defend the knight, 12.Qxe4 Qxe4 13.Nd6+
wins a piece.
From the game dipzilla (2045) vs Cuba76
(1828), Sharp Checker! August 26, 2008.
(91) Black to move
17...Qb2 threatens the rook on c1 and
knight on d2. White has no way to meet
both threats.
From the game seminoleman (1422) DW_Batty (1952), Tarrasch Defense
Tournament, April 2, 2009,
redhotpawn.com
(92) White to move
25.Qc2 forks the Rook and Knight
From the game jonty57 (1500) - johnny
mac (1480), August 2011 Mini Branded
Threesomes 1550, Round 1, September 9,
2011, redhotpawn.com
(93) Black to move
18...Qxc1+ "parts with the lady" as late
Chess Life writer Jerry Hanken used to
say 19. Kxc1 Rxd1#
From the game seminoleman (1422) DW_Batty (1952), Tarrasch Defense
Tournament, April 2, 2009,
redhotpawn.com
(94) Black to move
46...Qd2 sets up a mate threat of Qd4 and
helps protect and advance the passed e3
pawn.
From the game jonty57 (1500) – johnny
mac (1480), August 2011 Mini Banded
Threesomes 1550, Round 1,
redhotpawn.com
(95) Black to move
51...Nd4+ forks the bishop and king, and
helps black transpose to a winning
endgame.
From the game jonty57 (1500) – johnny
mac (1480), August 2011 Mini Banded
Threesomes 1550, Round 1,
redhotpawn.com
(96) Black to move
54...c3 pushes the advanced c pawn. If
white blocks this pawn on the next move
with 55. Bc2 Ne3 forks the bishop and
knight.
From the game jonty57 (1500) – johnny
mac (1480), August 2011 Mini Banded
Threesomes 1550, Round 1,
redhotpawn.com
(97) White to move
14.Ng5 adds another attacker and creates
an unstoppable mating net against the
black king.
From the game Christopher Smith (872) vs
Michael Allen III, goodwin03 bcc, Round
5
(98) Black to move
37...Rf4+ followed by 38. Kh5 Rh4# ends
the King Hunt.
From the game johnny mac (1480) –
jonty57 (1500), August 2011 Mini Banded
Threesomes 1550, Round 1,
redhotpawn.com
(99) Black to move
21...Qxd3 is nothing fancy - it wins a
piece that was under defended.
From the game orgelsimon (1598) vs
johnny mac (1480), Clan challenge,
September 4, 2011, redhotpawn.com.
(100) Black to move
46...Ng5+ forks the King and Rook
From the game aatef27 (1342) vs
akhockeyplaya07 (1429), Let’s Play!
Chess.com, September 12, 2007
(101) Black to move
48...Ra1+ 49. Kd2 Rd3 skewers the King
and Rook on d1.
From the game Tim Aguayo (2077) –
David Ryba (2016), White Knights
Tournament, February 6, 2003, Round 5
(102) Black to move
43...Rg2+ sets up mate, or a nasty
discovered check on the next move. If 44.
Kf1, Qe2#. If 44. Kh1 Qe1+ 45. Rf1
Qxf1+ 46. Qxg1# or Rxc2# or Re2#, etc
wins the queen with a discovered check.
From the game JRadis (1752) vs Virax
(1564), Let’s Play! Chess.com, December
5, 2008
(103) White to move
12.Bh6 is a typical pinning technique
when the White Queen and Dark Squared
Bishop are attacking the King. Black
cannot take the bishop, because the g
pawn is pinned. If they play g6, then they
lose the exchange after Bxf8. These types
of moves can often seem to come out of
nowhere, especially when the dark square
bishop moves from its home square of c1.
From the game Ryan Yu (764) vs Kevin
Chan (834), Early Summer Swiss, Round
4
(104) White to move
30.Re1 Skewers the Queen and the pawn
on e6.
From the game Stephen Kesti (1622) –
Michael Goffe (1515), White Knights
Tournament, Reno, NV, Round 5,
February 6, 2003.
(105) White to move
39.Rf7# is a midfield version of the “hook
mate” with all three minor pieces working
nicely together.
From the game Stephen Kesti (1622) –
Michael Goffe (1515), White Knights
Tournament, Round 5, Reno, NV,
February 6, 2003.
(106) Black to move
22...Qg5# is another example of the queen
and knight working nicely together to
deliver mate. Sometimes longer range
Queen checks are hard to see.
From the game TACO123 (1426) jdthompson (1175), Zapp’s tournament
ha!, October 6, 2008
(107) Black to move
32...Bh3 adds a second attacker to the
pinned bishop on f1. White can defend
against mate, but will have to give up their
material advantage to do so.
From the game Dan Wermers (1827) Ernest Hong (1905), White Knights
Tournament, Round 5, February 6, 2003
(108) White to move
12.Bc7 seals in the black king, and
prevents him from castling queenside, and
threatens 13. Qh5# on the next move.
Black is in a lot of trouble because of all
of the weak squares around him.
From the game Louis0007 (1656) - Kang
(1461), Let’s Play! Chess.com, October 8,
2007
(109) Black to move
16...Qf4+ double attacks the White King
and the Bishop on c4, which is now
attacked twice, and only defended once.
Black wins a piece.
From the game David Middleton – Eric
King, USCF CC 11SQ15, November 20,
2011
(110) White to move
30.Bd6+ Ke8 31. Qf8+ skewers the King
and Rook, winning a piece or 31. Qc6+
forking the Rook and King.
From the game Stephen Kesti (1622) George Fischer (1886), Round 6, White
Knights Tournament February 12, 2003.
(111) Black to move
7...Qxh3 takes a piece that is hanging.
Keep it simple :-)
From the game Brandon Wimbley (1512)
– Arlo Mann (1678), White Knights
Tournament, Round 6, Reno, NV,
February 13, 2003
(112) Black to move
17...a6 removes the defender of the bishop
on d4, so Black can play 18…Qg4+ on the
next move, forking the King and Bishop on
d4.
From the game Brandon Wimbley (1512)
– Arlo Mann (1678), White Knights
Tournament, Round 6, Reno, NV,
February 13, 2003
(113) White to move
13.Nd6+ has more forks than a
Thanksgiving dinner
From the game eki (1608) – JalalDevil
(1896), 8th Chess.com Tournament (16011800), September 1, 2009
(114) Black to move
50...f2 and black wins the race to queen
their pawn. If 51.Rh1 Rg1+ 52. Rxg1
fxg1=Q+ If 51.d7 f1=Q#
From the game David Ryba (2016) –
Stephen Kesti (1622), White Knights
Tournament, Round 7, February 20, 2003
(115) White to move
19.Nf6+ Not 19. Nc7+, which is a more
common forking square, but in this case
wins less material than forking the King
and Queen. When you see a good move,
look for a better one!
From the game Calvin Van Reken (1128)
– William Johnson (unrated), White
Knights Tournament, Round 7, Reno, NV,
February 20, 2003
(116) Black to move
22...Rxf1# is a simple back rank mate.
Variation from the game Shawn L Svare
(1309) – Debra Johnson (1809), Cheyenne
Open, Round 4, WY, November 15, 1997
(117) White to move
23.g3 forces the queen to move, which is
directly defending the bishop on e3, and
indirectly defending the bishop on d7,
which cannot be taken because of the back
rank mate threat of Qxf1 Qxf1 Rxf1 if
white were to play Rxd7. After the black
queen moves, white will be able to win
one of these bishops.
Variation from the game Shawn L Svare
(1309) – Debra Johnson (1809), Cheyenne
Open, Round 4, WY, November 15,
1997
(118) White to move
59.Kg6 gets out of check, and forks the
rook and pawn. Not 59. gxh5?? which
would be a stalemate.
Variation from the game Michael Goffe
(1632) – Mohammad Soltani (1373),
March Dunes Reno Chess Club, Round 1,
March 6, 2003
(119) White to move
14.Ne5 is a discovered attack on the
queen on h5 and adds a second attacker to
the pinned knight on d7.
From the game Brad Lundstrom (2092) –
David Baldwin (1806), 1997 Cheyenne
Open, Round 2, WY, November 15, 1997
(120) Black to move
11...Nd3# This type of smothered mate is
very common in the Budapest Gambit,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Gam
and is known as the Kieninger Trap.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kieninger_Tra
This position actually came out of the
Albin Counter Gambit, which has similar
trappy lines in it.
From the game Paul Nikitovich (2134) vs
Steve Towbin (2052), Denver Chess
Club, July 25, 2006, Round 1
(121) White to move
62.Rxa2+ White simplifies into an easily
winning endgame. Black will not be able
to stop 3 passed pawns and an advanced
King like white has.
From the game Michael Goffe (1632) –
Mohammad Soltani (1373), March Dunes
Reno Chess Club, Round 1, March 6,
2003
(122) Black to move
10...Qxe4 forks the White Rook on h1 and
Knight on d5. Rooks in the corners can be
vulnerable to attacks by the queen, when
the fianchetto pawn is pushed, but the
bishop hasn’t been developed yet.
From the game bobtaha (2111) vs
kavinsky (1910), Chess Cube Game, June
6, 2011
(123) Black to move
28...Rxd3+ forks the King and Queen, and
puts the Queen on the same file as the
King for the follow up move Qxd3 Rd8+
which pins and wins the queen. Black,
who was already up material, gets a
Queen and a pawn for two rooks, and
helps simplify into a winning endgame,
and saves the knight on h1, which was
under attack.
From the game Ryan Van Reken (1639) –
George Fischer (1851), March Dunes
Reno Chess Club, Round 4, March 27,
2003
(124) White to move
28.Bc4 adds a second attacker to the
backward e6 pawn. There is no way for
black to add a second defender, so the
pawn will fall.
From the game Karl Bohlmann (1543) –
Michael Goffe (1623), March Dunes Reno
Chess Club, Round 5, April 3, 2004
(125) Black to move
52...Qb2+ Forks the King and Bishop on
c2, winning a piece.
From the game Karl Bohlmann (1543) –
Michael Goffe (1623), March Dunes Reno
Chess Club, Round 5, April 3, 2004
(126) Black to move
6...Qh4+ Punishes White right out of the
opening. After 7. g3 (only way to get out
of check) black mates with either 7…
Qxg3 8. hxg3 Bxg3# or 7…Bxg3 8.
hxg3 Qxg3#. Be really careful when
playing openings that include an early
push of the f pawn like The Bird, Kings
Gambit, Stonewall Attack, Dutch Defense,
etc.
From the game Chufty Jones (1422) vs
chessicle (1819), Challenge
timeforchess.com, January 4, 2007
(127) White to move
7.Qb3 creates two threats at the same time
(the key to many successful tactics)- it
attacks the weak b7 pawn, and threatens 8.
Bf7+ Ke7 (…Kd7) 9. Qe6#. Black cannot
meet both threats at the same time.
From the game dzirilli (1484) – matt p
(1511), Clan Challenge redhotpawn.com,
August 14, 2011
(128) Black to move
12...Bxh3+ keeps it simple, and picks up
a hanging piece with check, and will mate
after 13. Kg1 Ne4+ 14. Be3 Qxe3#
From the game Anthea Carson (1776) –
Rhett Langseth (1829), Colorado Springs
Panera Bread Wednesday Night,
November 16, 2011
(129) White to move
16.Bb6 discovers an attack on the hanging
knight on e4. Black cannot save his queen
and the knight both, so will lose material.
From the game Karl Bohlmann (1543) –
Ernest Hong (1917), April Showers,
Round 1, Reno, NV, April 10, 2003.
(130) Black to move
33...f5 is the first move of a two move
combo. After the knight moves, black can
play 34…e4 doing a discovered attack on
the White Knight on f3 and the rook on b8
at the same time. Such pawn wave attacks
can be hard to see in advance.
From the game Stephen Kesti (1644) –
Ernest Hong (1681), April Showers,
Round 2, Reno, NV, April 12, 2003.
(131) White to move
19.Qxh7# is a common checkmate using
the powerful battery of light square
Bishop and Queen, with the White Knight
helping cover the f7 escape square.
From the game John Haigh (1926) –
Shawn Svare (1309), Cheyenne Open,
Round 2, WY, November 15, 1997
(132) Black to move
48...Ra3 is a simple move that
accomplishes two things at once. It gets
the Black Rook out of danger from the
White Knight on c1, and protects the
Black Knight on h3 that was under attack
from the White King.
From the game Stephen Kesti (1644) vs
Stephen Cindrich (1681), April Showers,
Round 2, Reno, NV, April 12, 2003
(133) White to move
10.Bxh6 removes one of the defenders of
the f7 pawn, and clears the way for the
battery of Queen and Rook on the f file.
Black cannot replace this defender, and
recapture at the same time, and is in big
trouble.
From the game Karl Bohlmann (1522) –
Arlo Mann (1681), April Showers, Round
3, Reno, NV, April 12, 2003
(134) Black to move
23...Qb2 attacks both the Rook on c1 and
the Bishop on e2. If 24. Re1 Nc3 adds
two more attackers to the Bishop on e2,
and white cannot meet all the threats.
From the game Brad Lundstrom (2092) –
Anthony Laird (1563), 1997 Cheyenne
Open, Round 4, WY, November 16, 1997
(135) White to move
14.Qh5+ and mate after 14…Kd7 (only
move) 15. Qf7+ Qe7 16. Qxe7#
From the game Karl Bohlmann (1522) –
Arlo Mann (1681), April Showers, Round
3, Reno, NV, April 12, 2003
(136) Black to move
13...Nb6 is a discovered attack on both
bishops. White cannot save both.
From the game David N. Peterson (1766)
– Stephen Kesti (1764), April Showers,
Round 3, Reno, NV, April 12, 2003
(137) Black to move
22...Kg7 holds down the fort, preventing
moves such as Rf6, which would be
devastating. Black is up a piece, but
needs to survive first.
From the game David N. Peterson (1766)
– Stephen Kesti (1764), April Showers,
Round 3, Reno, NV, April 12, 2003
(138) White to move
15.Nxf6+ checks the king, and discovers
an attack on the h7 square. After either
15…Qxf6, 15…gxf6 or 15…Kh8 white
plays 16. Qxh7#
This move was missed in the game Paul
Anderson (1571) – Ray O’Dell (1111),
Southern Colorado Open, Round 3, June
12, 1999
(139) Black to move
11...Nxe5 takes a dangerous piece that is
under defended. Black has a couple of
choices of what to do, but has to be
careful. 11…Bxe2 looks logical, but then
White has 12. Qxd7+.
From the game Tim Brennan (1696) vs
Paul Anderson (1926), Colorado Springs
Panera Bread, September 2, 2010
(140) Black to move
10...e5 is a pawn fork of Bishop and
Knight
From the game Tom Corbett (1430) –
Kevin Seidler (2066), Denver Chess
Club, Round 1, January 11, 2011
(141) White to move
9.Bxc6+ removes the defender of the
Queen on d4 with check.
From the game Steve Dumas (1318) –
Daryl R. Fouard (1345), 2011 North
American Open, Round 7, May 29, 2011
(142) Black to move
24...Qxa1 The black queen is trapped, so
goes out with a bang taking two rooks
with her
Missed in the game Tim Aguayo (2077) –
Stephen Kesti (1622), Reno Chess Club
Championship, Round 1, March 6, 2003
(143) Black to move
29...Nf4 is a clever move that helps cover
escape squares for the white King, and
adds additional mate threats. White has
two ways to capture this knight, but both
fail. If 30. gxf4 Qxf3 (the g pawn is
pinned). If 30. Qxf4 Qh1#. Black is
threatening to play 30…Qh2+ 31. Kf1
Qh1+ 32. Qxh1 Rxh1#
From the game Tim Aguayo (2077) –
Stephen Kesti (1622), Reno Chess Club
Championship, Round 1, March 6, 2003
(144) White to move
7.Bxf7+ discovers an attack on the
hanging Black Queen on d4.
From the game purerwandb (Rob Hartelt)
vs moehabibi, ChessCube December
2011.
(145) Black to move
9...Qxd4+ forks the King and the White
Bishop on c4. This type of forking tactic
with the White King, White Bishop and
Black Queen is common in class player
games in the King’s Gambit.
From the game archship (1725) –
ilyatraynin (1699), rated standard match,
December 20, 2011
(146) Black to move
17...Qe4 leads to a forced mate. On the
previous move, White played g3, which
left horrible holes on their King’s
protection. White can only delay the mate
with some spite checks,
18.Bxd6+ cxd6 19.Qxd6+ Bxd6 20.f3
Qe2 21.Rf2 Qxf2+ 22.Kh1 Qxh2#
From the game Jon Gurutz (1842) –
Xabier Mujika (1865), 90'+30', December
07, 2007
(147) Black to move
10...Bxf2+ is a variation on Légal’s Mate.
11. Ke2 Bg4# This is a really good
tactical pattern to know. Black actually
played an unsound version of it, but got
away with it. See the Wikipedia entry for
more information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9gal
From the game cdwasserman (1409) –
cadwah (1535), 2012 Championship,
Round 1, February 1, 2012
(148) White to move
19.Qxe6+ an Easy mate in two with 19…
Kf8 Qf7#
Variation from the game Edgar Reyes
(1799) – Jerome Weikel (2044), Reno
Chess Club Championship, Round 1,
March 6, 2003
(149) White to move
10.Qxb8+!! is a brilliant Queen sacrifice
Nxb8 11. Nxc7#.
From the online blitz game slimedog
(Anthea Carson) vs Skorceni chess.com
Feb 5, 2012
(150) White to move
32.Rxg7+ removes the defender of the
Queen on f6 32...Kxg7 (32...Bxg7)
33.Qxe6
From the game Edgar Reyes (1799) –
Jerome Weikel (2044), Reno Chess Club
Championship, Round 1, March 6, 2003
(151) White to move
35.Bxg7+ deflects the king from the f8
square 35…Kxg7 36. f8=Q+ and mates
soon after. In the game White grabbed a
pawn with 35. Bxb6, and is still winning,
but trading down, and queening the pawn
is the much shorter route to victory.
Missed in the game Edgar Reyes (1799) –
Jerome Weikel (2044), Reno Chess Club
Championship, Round 1, March 6, 2003
(152) White to move
25.Nxh7 if 25…Kxh7 26. Qxh5 wins
back the knight with interest (the g6 pawn
is now pinned to the Black King)
From the game Tim Aguayo (2077) –
David Ryba (2016), Reno Chess Club
Championship Semi, Round 2, April 3,
2003
(153) White to move
53.h7 pushes the pawn one step closer to
becoming a Queen, giving up the less
important bishop as collateral damage.
Variation from the game Tim Aguayo
(2077) – David Ryba (2016), Reno Chess
Club Championship Semi, Round 2, April
3, 2003
(154) White to move
27.a5 The wall of doubled pawns on the c
file, and the Black King being so far
away, prevents black from being able to
stop the a pawn from queening.
From the game George Lundy (1472) –
Elizabeth Scott (1227), Cheyenne Open,
WY, Round 4, November 16, 1997
(155) Black to move
37...Rg8 traps the White Queen
From the game George Fischer (1833) –
Ernest Hong (1898), Reno Chess Club
Class A Championship, May 15, 2003
(156) White to move
41.Rxa8 deflects the Rook on e8 from the
queening square. 41…Rxa8 42.Nf7+ Kg8
43.Nd8 and white will queen their pawn
From the game Ernest Hong (1898) – Dan
Wermers (1859), Reno Chess Club Class
A Championship, May 15, 2003
(157) White to move
40.Qf8# is a nice checkmate
From the game Stephen Cindrich (1701) –
Milovoj Filipas (1623), Reno Chess Club
Class B Championship, April 24, 2003
(158) White to move
20.Bxf4 picks up a hanging piece
From the game Ian McKenzie (Unrated) –
Tom Alcorn (1243), Cheyenne Open, WY,
Round 1, November 15, 1997
(159) White to move
34.Rxg6+ leads to a forced mate 34…
fxg6 35.Qxg6+ Kf8 36.Rf3+ Ke7 37.Rf7+
Kd8 38.Qf6+ Ke8 39.Qe7#
From the game Stephen Kesti (1771) –
Grant Fleming (1781), Reno Chess Club
Class B Championship, May 13, 2003
(160) Black to move
24...Nh4 threatens 25…Qxg2#, and the
family fork 25…Nf3+
From the game Elizabeth Scott (1227) –
Jason Gieske (unrated), 1997 Cheyenne
Open, WY, Round 1, November 15, 1997
(161) White to move
11.Nd6+ Black was hoping to play a
double discovered check with Nxc2+ but
gets mated after 11…Kf8 12. Qxf7#
Variation from the game Zach Bekkedahl
(2099) – Tim Brennan (1812), Loveland
Open, Round 3, February 12, 2012
(162) White to move
5.Bxh5# This USCF rated G/90 latest
only 5 moves 1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Qh5+
g6 4. Be2 gxh5 5. Bxh5# 1-0
From the game Anthea Carson (1655) and
Alexander Freeman (1728), Panera Bread,
Colorado Springs, February 1, 2012,
(163) White to move
46.Rf6+ Offers black a rook for a knight
so they can simplify into a winning
endgame. If black declines this offer, and
plays 46…Kh5, white picks up another
pawn with 47. Rh6+. If 46…Kg7 47.
Rd6+ discovered check wins the knight.
From the game Laroy O’Doan (1600) –
Stephen Kesti (1771), Reno Chess Class
B Championship, May 15, 2003
(164) White to move
32.Re7+ forks the King and Queen.
From the game Michael Goffe (1629) –
Stephen Cindrich (1706), Reno Chess
Club Class B Championship, May 8, 2003
(165) White to move
44.Qg8+ Kh6 45. Qh8#
From the game Elizabeth Scott (1227) –
Jason Gieske (unrated), 1997 Cheyenne
Open, WY, Round 1, November 15, 1997
(166) Black to move
29...Rg1 forces the rook on f1 away from
blocking the f pawn
From the game Dan Horen (1260) – John
Bales (1475), Cheyenne Open, WY,
Round 3, November 16, 1997
(167) Black to move
18...Rg8 gets the rook out of danger, and
sets up a bone crushing discovered check
on the next move
From the game Arlo Mann (1537) Michael Goffe (1629), Reno Chess Club
Class B Championship, May 19, 2003
(168) White to move
53.Rd2+ forces black to give up defense
of the Rook on c6 or trade Rooks,
allowing white to easily queen their a
pawn after 53…Rd6 54. Rxd6 Kxd6 55.
a7.
From the game Grant Fleming (1781) –
George Kirste (1660), Reno Chess Club
Class B Championship, May 29, 2003
(169) Black to move
27...Nd6 The White Queen is forced away
from her defense of the Knight on d7 after
28. Qa4 b5
From the game Grant Fleming (1781) –
David Peterson (1727), Reno Chess Club
Class B Championship, May 30, 2003
(170) Black to move
30...Nc4 The white queen gets trapped
after 31. Qa6 Qe8 (or …Qb8) and 32.
Ra7
From the game Grant Fleming (1781) –
David Peterson (1727), Reno Chess Club
Class B Championship, May 30, 2003
(171) White to move
9.Bf4 forces the awkwardly placed Queen
to a bad square or into a lower value
trade. After 9…Qe6 10. Nc7+ is a family
fork.
From the game TimmyBx (1965) – rjlohan
(1354), Ladder, redhotpawn.com, March
11, 2012
(172) White to move
23.Qxg7+ wins a piece and leads to mate
after either
23...Kxe8 24.Qxg8+ Kd7 25.Qxf7+ Kd8
26.Bg5+ Qe7 27.Qxe7#
or
23...Ke7 24.Bg5+ Kd7 25.Qxf7+ Ne7
26.Qxe7#
Variation from the game Steve Melancon
(1506) - James Mann (1537), Reno Chess
Club Class C Championship, May 2003
(173) White to move
13.Nf6+!! got a double exclam from Fritz
13 and leads to mate after 13...Bxf6
(13...gxf6 or 13...Kh8) 14.Qh7#
From the game PureRWandB (1399) –
dhdenbow (1516), Challenge,
redhotpawn.com, February 2, 2012
(174) Black to move
16...Bh3+ leads to mate after 17. Kg1
Nxf3#
From the game asakar (1324) – ooloth
(1683), Let’s Play! Chess.com, March 27,
2009
(175) White to move
22.Bxe5 wins a piece because the d6
pawn is pinned. If 22…dxe5 23. Rxd8#
Variation from the game Calvin Van
Reken (1165) – Norman Wyatt (1245),
Match Game Reno Chess Club, May 15,
2003
(176) White to move
32.g3 traps the dark square bishop who
went after a poison pawn.
Variation from the game Calvin Van
Reken (1165) – Norman Wyatt (1245),
Match Game Reno Chess Club, May 15,
2003
(177) Black to move
30...Nf4 traps the White Queen, who has
no safe escape squares.
From the game Ernest Hong (1898) –
George Fischer (1833), Reno Chess Club
Class A Playoff, June 15, 2003
(178) Black to move
19...g3 threatening 20…Qxh2# if 20. h3
Bxh3 21. gxh3 Qxh3 and white will have
to give up material to avoid being mated.
Variation from the game George Fischer
(1833) - Ernest Hong (1898), Class A
Playoff, June 22, 2003
(179) White to move
6.Nfd5# is a fun checkmate.
The complete game went 1. Nc3 e5 2.
Nd3 Nc6 3. Nb5 e4 4. Nxc7+ Ke7 5. Nf4
Nd6 6. Nfd5# 1-0
From the game purerwandb vs
justinholland, ChessCube, April 06, 2012
(180) White to move
21.Nxg7+ forces the Black King away
from defending the f7 Rook from the
White Queen on a3
From the game Karl Bohlmann (1538) –
Ernest Hong (1898), Firecracker Reno
Chess Club, Round 1, June 19, 2003
(181) Black to move
13...Qh4+ leads to mate, exploiting the
weak squares around the White King 14.
g3 Qxg3# Be careful with early f pawn
pushes in the opening, as they can leave
you vulnerable to attacks like this.
From the game Kalimullah Kahn –
Michael Goffe, Firecracker Reno Chess
Club, Round 1, June 19, 2003
(182) Black to move
34...Nf3+ discovered attack, winning the
Queen on e6
From the game Edgar Reyes – George
Smith (2521), Firecracker Reno Chess
Club, Round 1, June 19, 2003
(183) Black to move
18...Bxf6 wins a piece that is attacked 3
times, but only defended twice
Variation from the game Craig Christensen
– Ernest Hong, Firecracker Reno Chess
Club, Round 3, July 3, 2003
(184) White to move
7.Bg5 puts the Black Queen in an
awkward position – if the Queen moves,
white has 8. Qd8#
From the game hartini (1243) –
averagepianist (1180), 2012
Championship, redhotpawn.com, February
1, 2012
(185) Black to move
29...Rxf5 wins a piece, as the e pawn is
pinned to the Queen.
From the game William McComas
(unrated) – Edgar Reyes (1880),
Firecracker Reno Chess Club, Round 5,
June 19, 2003
(186) Black to move
15...Qxd2+!! 16. Kxd2 Nxe4+ discovers
an attack on the White Queen on g7 from
the Black Bishop on a8, and gets out of the
mate threat on e7.
This move would have turned things
around for black, who instead played
15…Qb5+ and was mated two moves
later after 16. c4 Rg8 17. Qe7#
Missed move from the game tacomakeeg
(1490) – highmush (1335), 2012
Championship, redhotpawn.com, February
1, 2012
(187) White to move
29.Rxd4 Qxd4 30. Rd2 skewers the
Queen and Knight on d6
From the game Stephen Kesti (1730) –
George. Kirste (1704), Reno Chess Club
Hot August Knights, Round 4, August 16,
2003
(188) White to move
13.Nxe4!! if 13…Qxd4 14. Nf6+ double
check 14…Kd8 15. Re8#
From the game Mark McGough (1817) –
Brian Roundtree (1838), April 2012
Panera Bread, Round 2, Colorado
Springs, April 11, 2012
(189) White to move
61.Bxe5 sacrifices the h pawn in order to
win Black's two connected passed
pawns. The White King will then win the
race over to the Queenside to grab the a4
pawn, and will queen the a2 pawn.
Missed in the game Paul Anderson –
Douglas Anderson, Glenwood Springs,
February 8, 1999
(190) Black to move
36...Qb7+ 37. Qg2 Rf2 38. Qxb7 Rh2# is
a pretty queen sacrifice and checkmate.
Missed in the game Douglas Anderson –
Paul Anderson, Email January 4, 2000
(191) Black to move
25...Qf5+ black’s bishops are powerful
and the White King has no defenders. 26.
Ke1 Qf2+ 27 Kd1 Qe2# or 26. Kg2 Qf2+
27. Kh1 Qg1#
Variation from the game Paul Anderson –
Douglas Anderson, Email March 10, 2000
(192) White to move
13.Nf6# is a neat checkmate taking
advantage of the pinned g pawn.
From the game Jeff Baffo – eligio_lim,
ChessCube Game, July 1, 2012
(193) White to move
58.Rb4+ Deflects the King away from the
defense of the Bishop. 58… Kc5 59. Kxe3
Kxb4 60. f7 c7 61. f8=Q+ and white
Queens first, with check. White can then
play Qc8 and capture black's pawn if it
becomes a Queen.
Missed in the game Douglas Anderson –
Paul Anderson, Email, January 15, 2001
(194) White to move
62.g7 and black cannot stop White from
creating a Queen.
From the game the game Douglas
Anderson – Paul Anderson, Email,
January 15, 2001
(195) Black to move
41...f2 another runaway pawn that cannot
be stopped.
Variation from the game Paul Anderson –
Douglas Anderson, Email, March 5, 2001
(196) White to move
35.Rg7 threatens mate with 36. Rh7# If
35…Rxg7 36. Qxg7#. Black can delay
mate with 35…Nf6 or 35…Ng5, but these
just delay the inevitable.
From the game Douglas Anderson – Paul
Anderson, Email, April 4, 2001
(197) White to move
30.Rxf8# is a simple back rank mate
Variation from the game Douglas
Anderson – Paul Anderson, Email,
September 15, 2001
(198) White to move
27.Qf6 Sets up a mating net of 28. Qh6+
Kg8 29. Qh8#. Black can throw in some
checks, but can't stop mate.
Missed in the game Paul Anderson –
Douglas Anderson, Email, January 23,
2002
(199) White to move
17.Bf4+ ignoring the attack on the White
Queen and mate after 17…Ne5 18. Bxe5
Qc7 19. Qxc7#
From the game Nyxie (1737) – Elcaballo
(1670), Clan League, redhotpawn.com,
July 9, 2005
(200) Black to move
12...Qg6+ 13. Kh1 Qg2#
From the game Tpahl (1106) – Wazzujoel
(1371), Friend invite, July 24, 2005
(201) Black to move
83...d2 forces a trade of rooks, leaving
black with an easily won endgame.
Variation from the game Douglas
Anderson – Paul Anderson, Email, July
26, 2002
(202) Black to move
86...e3+ deflects the white king from his
blockade of the d pawn. 87. Kxe3 d2 88.
Kxd2 d1=Q+ forks the King and Rook on
h5
From the game Douglas Anderson – Paul
Anderson, Email, July 26, 2002
(203) White to move
32.Rxh4 nothing tricky here. Just making
sure you are paying attention :-) It looks
like White might have a mating net, and
can ignore the Queen, but there is no
reason to do this.
Variation from the game Paul Anderson –
Douglas Anderson, Email, August 14,
2003
(204) White to move
27.Nd4+!! Got a double exclam from
Fritz 13 and leads to a forced mate.
27...Kg4 28.h3+ Kxh3 29.Nd1 Ng4
30.Re2 cxd4 31.Rh2+ Nxh2 32.Nf2#
or
27...cxd4 28.Re5+ Kg4 29.Kg2 dxc3
30.h3#
From the game Paul Anderson – Douglas
Anderson Email 2003
(205) Black to move
63...e1Q No need to get fancy and
underpromote to a knight.
Variation from the game Douglas
Anderson – Paul Anderson, Email, June
26, 2004
(206) Black to move
51...d2+ was missed in the game 52.Kxd2
Bxc1+ removing the defender of the White
Queen 53.Kd1 Qxb3+
From the game Douglas Anderson vs Paul
Anderson, Email, 2007
(207) Black to move
23...Rxa3 Threatening 24…Ra1# on the
next move (the c2 knight is pinned).
Variation from the game Douglas
Anderson – Paul Anderson, Email, August
23, 2009
(208) White to move
7.Nxf6# is a cute mate, punishing black
for their unusual kingside pawn
development.
From the game Paulg (1497) vs Karei
(800) Open Invite redhotpawn.com July
2005
(209) Black to move
52...Nd6+ forces white to trade off their
last remaining piece.
From the game Douglas Anderson – Paul
Anderson, Email, August 23, 2009
(210) White to move
13.Qxg6 takes advantage of the f7 pawn
being pinned. The Knight on g6 appeared
to be defended by really wasn’t. 13. Nxf7
is also good for white, but not as deadly
as 13. Qxg6
Missed in the game Zonagrad (1376) –
Konovalov (1238), FICS Rated Blitz 3
min, April 6, 2011
(211) White to move
6.exf7# is an amusing checkmate
From the game Zakkwylder (1272) vs
Moosecalls (694) Open Invite
redhotpawn.com 2004
(212) Black to move
27...Rxg2+ if 28. Kxg2 Qg8+ forks the
King and Rook.
Variation from the game Pete Millett
(1825) – Mark Kriseler (1845),
Lakewood Classic, 1986
(213) Black to move
23...Rd1 creating a battery on the 8th rank,
double attacking the bishop on c1,
threatening 24…Qf1# and preventing
development of the Knight on f1.
From the game Thomas Storaas (2194) –
Mark Kriseler (2102), Denver 1998
(214) Black to move
26...Qxh1# a continuation of the previous
problem, showing why the Knight on g1
was pinned.
From the game Thomas Storaas (2194) –
Mark Kriseler (2102), Denver 1998
(215) White to move
18.Rxf7 wins a rook. If 18…Nxf7 19.
Qxf7+ Kh8 20. Qf8# or 20. Qe8#
From the game Mark Kriseler (2114) –
Ian MacLellan (1979), 1989 Holiday
Open
(216) White to move
19.Bh6 builds a mating net. If 19…Rf7
20. Qe8 Rf8 21. Qxf8#
From the game Mark Kriseler (2089) –
Ron Smit (1534), Colorado Springs –
Lakewood match, April 1989
(217) White to move
30.Rdg1+ traps the Black King on the side
of the board. After the Black King moves
to the h file 31. Bf7+ Nh5 32. Rxh5#
From the game Mark Kriseler (2000) –
Robert Karnisky (2287), 1990 Colorado
Closed
(218) Black to move
19...c3 and white cannot stop 20…Qb2#
From the game Brendon Barela – Derek
Austin Fish (1200), CU Boulder Unrated,
2008
(219) Black to move
29...Qh6+ forks the King and the Bishop
on h3
From the game Mikhail Ponomarev (2200)
– James Hamblin (2102), Colorado Open,
Denver, Round 3, August 31,
2003
(220) White to move
32.Qg8# is a simple mate in one.
Variation from the game Paul Grimm
(1664) – Jim Hamblin (2139), Denver
Chess Club, September 2003 G/40, Round
10, September 30, 2003
(221) Black to move
20...exd5 White got a little too fancy with
in between moves. Both Queens are
attacked, and so is the knight on c5. After
20...exd5 21.Bxd8 Nb3 Black trades off
the queens, removes the attack to his
knight, forks the two rooks, double attacks
the knight on c3, and still has an attack on
the bishop on d8.
From the game John Nastri (1141) vs
Shaun MacMillan (1817) East Coast Deli,
Round 1, Colorado Springs, October 7,
2009.
(222) White to move
7.Nd5 adds a third attacker to the pinned
knight on f6, which cannot be defended a
third time.
From the game Zakkwylder (1272) –
Maxy (1256), Open Invite,
redhotpawn.com, June 2, 2004
(223) White to move
14.Bg4 pins the Rook to the King
From the game Leellen (1231) –
PureRWandB (1397), CCOUSA 2011
Invitational Below 1800 Cup, Round 1,
February6, 2011
(224) White to move
48.Nxd5 wins a pawn and adds a second
attacker to the Black Knight on c7. If
48…cxd5 (or 48…exd5) 49. Bxc7 Bxc7
50. a8=Q+. If 48…Na8 blockading the a
pawn from queening 49. Nxe3 stopping
Black’s passed pawn.
From the game Alexander Freeman (1561)
vs Fred Spell (1398) East Coast Deli,
October 2009
(225) Black to move
13...Ba4 pins and adds a second attacker
to the knight on b3, which cannot be
defended a second time.
From the game Isaac Martinez (1313) –
James Aften Greener (1525), 2009
October East Coast Deli, Round 3,
October 21, 2009, Colorado Springs
(226) White to move
14.Bxf5 exf5 15.Nxd5 wins a pawn, and
forks the bishop and Queen. The Black
Queen has no squares to move to where it
can still protect the Bishop on b4. White
wins a piece with 16. Nxb4.
From the game Alexander Freeman (999),
Isaac Martinez (1313), 2009 October East
Coast Deli, Round 4, October 28, 2009,
Colorado Springs
(227) White to move
23.Ng5+ exploits the pin on the f pawn,
23…Kg8 24. Qxh7#
Missed in the game Alexander Freeman
(999), Isaac Martinez (1313), 2009
October East Coast Deli, Round 4,
October 28, 2009, Colorado Springs
(228) Black to move
11...Ne5 is a discovered attack on the
White Knight on h3 and the White Bishop
on c4
From the game Jerry Maier (1288) - Tom
Mullikin (1192) East Coast Deli,
Colorado Springs October 2009
(229) White to move
29.e7 is an unstoppable passed pawn.
Variation from the game Lee Lahti (903)
vs Terry Powell (1272), Liesl Shaffer
College Fundraiser, Round 1, Denver,
February 28, 2004
(230) White to move
48.Qd8 forks the knight on b6 and the
really bad bishop on h8
From the game Philipp M. Ponomarev
(1900) – Andrew Rea (2063), Denver
Chess Club, Round 3, February 5, 2004
(231) White to move
33.Bb3+ chases the King to the corner
33…Kh8 34. Ng6+ if 34…hxg6 white
mates with 35.Rh3+ Bh4 36.Rxh4#
otherwise Black has to give up the Queen
with 34…Qxg6 35. Rxg6
From the game Larry Wutt (1812) vs Gary
Frenzel (1072), Round 1, Colorado
Springs Open, March 6, 2004
(232) White to move
40.Rc1 with the threat Rc8, pinning the
Queen to the King. 40. Nd5, which was
played in the game is also good, but
doesn’t win as quickly.
From the game Larry Wutt (1812) vs Gary
Frenzel (1072), Round 1, Colorado
Springs Open, March 6, 2004
(233) Black to move
29...Qe2 threatens mate on g2 and double
attacks the rook on f1 and the knight on b2
From the game Brian L Walker (1729),
Andrew Rea (2059) , Round 2, Colorado
Springs Open, March 6, 2004
(234) Black to move
14...Ng4 creates a mating net against the
White King.
Some sample lines:
Analysis by Fritz 13:
1. -+ (-#6): 15.Bxf7+ Kd8 16.Qxg4 hxg4
17.Bh5 Qxh5 18.f4 Qxc5+ 19.Rf2 g3
20.Nc3 Qxf2#
2. -+ (-#6): 15.Bxd6 cxd6 16.Bxf7+ Ke7
17.Qxg4 hxg4 18.Bh5 Rxh5 19.f4 g3
20.Nc3 Qh2#
3. -+ (-#4): 15.Qxg4 hxg4 16.f4 g3
17.Bxf7+ Kxf7 18.Nc3 Qh2#
4. -+ (-#2): 15.Rd1 Qh2+ 16.Kf1 Qh1#
From the game Mogador (2140) – Brian
Wall (2276), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club,
August 7, 2007
(235) White to move
24.Bxg7 removes the defender of the
Knight on f6.
From the game Randy Reynolds (1703) vs
Tim Brennan (1741) 3rd Al Ufer
Memorial, Round 2, Colorado Springs,
Jan 5, 2008
(236) Black to move
21...Bxf2+ breaks up the king's pawn
defense, wins a pawn, deflects the King
away from the defense of the bishop on h2
and attacks the Rook on e1.
From the game Gpkumar123 –
Peteraugros, ICS unrated blitz match,
September 11, 2007
(237) Black to move
46...Bb8+ and mate after 47. Kh3 Rh2#
From the game Norbert Ag vs Brian Wall,
ICC Blitz 5 1, September 9, 2007
(238) White to move
4.Qh5# is a variation on Fool’s Mate,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fool%27s_ma
From the game Paul Anderson (1838) vs
Randy Reynolds (1594), Springs
Fundraiser, Round 4, July 22, 2006
(239) Black to move
17...Nf2# is a cute mate in a position
where both sides are threatening mate in
one.
From the game Topulan (1329) vs
Zakkwylder (1272) Open Invite,
redhotpawn.com, August 5, 2005.
(240) Black to move
13...Qg3+ 13...Qg3+ 14.Kh1 Qxh3+
15.Kg1 Nf3# a common checkmating
theme in the Fishing Pole attack.
From the game Fuerte2004 (2178) –
Brianwall (2200), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess
Club 2007
(241) White to move
7.Qd5 and Black has no good way to
defend the f7 pawn. The only reasonable
response is 7…Nh6, but after 8. Bxh6
Black is still in big trouble. A good trick
to know in the Scotch Gambit.
From the game John Barthel (1594) vs
Francisco Baltier Jr (1559) 2011 Tucson
Open, Round 2, January 22, 2011.
(242) Black to move
17...Bxe4+ overloads the White Rook like
a dishwasher on Thanksgiving. 18. Rxe4
Qf1#
Variation from Bernard Rigo (1720) vs
Alan Goldsmith (2130), Adelaide
Interclub, Round 2, 2004
(243) Black to move
14...Qh7
In the game White played 14…g4, but
14…Qh7 is much more efficient, and a
common attack formation in the Fishing
Pole opening. This move creates a battery
on the h file. White will have to give up
major material to avoid being mated.
From the game Tomas Kacalek (1710) vs
Jan Petrilak (1620), Brno Gargulak memA, Round 3, 2004.
(244) Black to move
6...Bxf2+ This is a good opening trick to
know in the Budapest Gambit. This type
of tactic is common when white declines
the gambit (for example 1.d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5
3. d5).
White either gets mated or loses major
material after 7. Kxf2 Ne4+
8.Ke3 Qg5+ 9.Kd3 Nf2+ forks the King
and Queen
8.Ke1 Qh4+ 9.g3 Qxg3#
8.Kf3 Qh4 9.Ke3 Qf2+ 10.Kd3 Qd4+
11.Kc2 Nd2+ 12.e4 Bxe4+ 13.Bd3
Qxd3#
From the game Jim Fety (1409) vs
Francisco Baltier Jr. (1542), 2007
Western States Open, October 12, 2007,
Round 2.
(245) Black to move
16...Qf3 and black cannot stop …Ng4+
and …h2#
From the game Evelina (2203) and
Brianwall (2286) ICC 5 2 blitz, July 31,
2007.
(246) Black to move
11...Qg3 threatening …Qh2# White can
only delay mate with a series of giving up
pieces and spite checks. This pattern is
another good one to know in the Fishing
Pole attack.
From the game Manny Presicci vs Brian
Wall, Boulder Grand Prix, Round 1,
November 18, 2006.
(247) Black to move
15...Bg5+ White grabbed a pawn on f7
with his Queen on his last move, but it
was unsafe because of the discovered
attack 15…Bg5+ When you castle
Queenside instead of Kingside, your king
can be more vulnerable to these types of
checks.
From the game Francisco Baltier Jr.
(1458) vs Sreeker Bommireddy (1461)
Sept Foothills Trek Rapid, Round 2, 2010
(248) Black to move
24...Rg1+ 25. Kh2 Qg3# and black cashes
in on the nice battery he created on the g
file.
From the game Masegui (1381) vs
Gbsalvio (1822) rated blitz match,
October 22, 2007
(249) Black to move
16...Qd4+ forks the King and Rook.
From the game Zent Selcuk (1848) vs
Gbsalvio (1845), rated blitz match,
September 28, 2007
(250) White to move
14.Rd1 pins and wins the bishop
From the game Tospringer (1650) –
Gbsalvio (1814), rated blitz match,
September 12, 2007
(251) Black to move
20...Bg4+ removes the White King from
defending the pinned white rook, and
brings another piece into the attack with
tempo (a check). After the King moves to
the d file, Black plays gxf3. Playing gxf3
right away is ok too, but the Bishop check
is a little more accurate.
From the game Pdupont (1721) vs
Gbsalvio (1800), Rated Blitz match,
September 12, 2007
(252) White to move
14.Bg4 pins the Rook to the King
This move was missed in the game
Leellen (1271) vs Pureredwhiteandblue
(1859), CCOUSA 2011, Invitational
Below 1800 Cup, January 04, 2011
(253) White to move
14.Qc4+ and black cannot stop the mate
14...Nd5 15.Qxd5+ Be6 16.Qxe6#
From the game Pureredwhiteandblue
(1859) – Vonny (1200), Live Chess
Chess.com 2011
(254) White to move
36.Qa6 threatening 37. Qb7# if 36…Kc7
to escape 37. Qb7+ forks the King and
Bishop on b6 37…Kd6 (only move) 38.
Qxb6. White now gains back the material
advantage and has three passed pawns on
the queenside that are becoming very
powerful.
From the game Patzerstave (2156) vs
Gbsalvio (1803) rated blitz math, August
13, 2007.
(255) White to move
25.Ng6+ on the previous move Black
played f6 attempting to kick the white
Knight from its nice outpost, but missed
this move forking the King and Rook.
From the game Metin (1918) vs Gbsalvio
(1816), rated blitz match, August 31, 2007
(256) White to move
12.Bg5 pins and adds a second attacker to
the knight on f6. There is no way for
Black to defend this piece a second time,
and will lose it.
From the game Marnic (1816) vs
Gbsalvio (1852), rated blitz math, August
07, 2007.
(257) White to move
25.exd6 cxd6 26. Nf6+ forks the King and
Queen. This is better than 26. Rxe7+
forking the King and Queen, which was
played in the game. This trades Rook and
Knight for Queen, which is worse than
winning the Queen for just the Knight.
From the game Lsetia (1837) vs Gbsalvio
(1888), rated blitz match, October 11,
2007.
(258) Black to move
10...Qxa5!! is a brilliant Queen sacrifice
deflecting the White Queen from her
protection of the c2 square, threatening 11.
Nc2#. There are no safe squares for the
White Queen, and she will be lost or
White will be checkmated.
Even very strong players have missed this
type of tactic, such as in the game GM
Alexander Yermolinsky (2654) vs. IM
Emory Tate (2425), Western States Open,
2001, which went 1. d4 c5 2. d5 e6 3.
Nc3 exd5 4. Nxd5 Ne7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4
Qa5+ 7. c3 Nf5 8. Qa4 Qxa4 9. Nc7# 1-0,
and you can play through here:
http://tacticstime.com/?page_id=3299.
Variation missed from the game
Drumlizardo (961) vs Dogfish44 (954),
Open Invite, redhotpawn.com, October 8,
2010.
(259) White to move
26.Ne7+ Kh7 27. Qh5# with a variation
on the Anastasia’s Mate with a Queen
instead of a Rook.
This was missed in the game Lsetia
(1837) vs Gbsalvio (1859), rated blitz
match, August 20, 2007
(260) Black to move
36...Bd1+ 37. Ka3 Ra4# A forced mate
missed in the game
From the game Lsetia (1837) vs Gbsalvio
(1859), rated blitz match, August 20, 2007
(261) White to move
28.Nxd6+ forks the king and queen. The
c7 pawn is pinned.
From the game Lsetia (1831) vs Gbsalvio
(1865), rated blitz match, August 20, 2007
(262) White to move
14.Nxc5 threatens the queen on d7 and
removes the defender of the knight on f2.
Black got over aggressive with 13…Nxf2
on the previous move, and will lose a
piece.
From the game Lovejulie (1866) vs
Gbsalvio (1866), rated blitz match,
August 19, 2007.
(263) Black to move
38...Rxe4 39. fxe4 Rxe1 the f pawn was
pinned
From the game Zaupa (1909) – Gbsalvio
(1893), rated blitz match, September 18,
2007
(264) Black to move
51...Nxb6 52. Kxb6 Rxa6+! Black gives
up two pieces to stop White’s passed
pawns, and transposes into an easily won
endgame in this 400 point upset.
From the game Josh Bloomer (2187) –
Anthea Carson (1730), Poor Richard’s
Colorado Springs, Round 2, September
12, 2007
(265) White to move
12.Qf7#
From the game Ptitlu (2179) – Gbsalvio
(1806), rated blitz match, October 6, 2007
(266) White to move
27.Re6 threatens the queen and the check
capture on f6.
Missed in the game Ptitlu (2149) –
Gbsalvio (1894), rated blitz match,
September 20, 2007
(267) Black to move
37...g2 there is no way for White to stop
the dangerous passed pawns
From the game Ninonino (1519) –
Gbsalvio (1850), rated blitz match,
September 19, 2007
(268) White to move
14.f6# Discovered Checkmate
From the game Mrhustler (1899) –
Gbsalvio (1789), rated blitz match,
October 5, 2007
(269) White to move
22.Nxh5 gxh5 23. Qxh5 White wins a
Rook and pawn for a Knight. In the game
White retreated his knight with 22. Nf3.
Missed in the game Maurian (1909) –
Gbsalvio (1839), rated blitz match,
September 19, 2007.
(270) Black to move
25...Rxe2+ Removing the defender of the
White Rook on g1
From the game Gator101 (2052) – Brian
Wall (2220), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club,
May 31, 2008.
(271) White to move
35.Rxc7+ forks the Black King and
Bishop
From the game Maurian (1909) –
Gbsalvio (1839), rated blitz match,
September 19, 2007.
(272) Black to move
11...Ne2# not only wins the queen but
checkmates the king!
From the game Markrenton (1850 –
Gbsalvio (1832), rated blitz match,
August 28, 2007
(273) White to move
14.Qg3 gets the queen out of danger,
attacks the knight and g7 pawn, and still
guards the knight on c3. Quite a lot for
one move!
From the game Hierbabuena (1671) –
Gbsalvio (1789), rated blitz match,
October 6, 2007
(274) Black to move
10...Qg3 with the threat Qh2#. The f2
pawn is pinned from the Black Bishop on
c5. A common mating theme in the
Fishing Pole attack. If 11. hxg4 hxg4,
and now the Black Rook on h8 supports
the mate on h2
From the game jean1777 (2235) –
vladtespes83 (2408), ChessCube Game,
July 19, 2012
(275) White to move
12.Re1 wins the queen
Variation from the game Fatfreddie (1910)
– Gbsalvio (1944), rated blitz match,
September 25, 2007
(276) White to move
26.Qf6+ Qf7 is the only move to block the
check and then 27. Qxf7#
From the game Fatfreddie (1910) –
Gbsalvio (1944), rated blitz match,
September 25, 2007
(277) White to move
47.Nb3+ forks the king and rook. White
missed this move, playing Ne6+, and went
on to lose the game. Even stronger
players miss simple one move knight
forks, especially in fast time controls and
blitz.
Missed in the game Fatfreddie (1911) –
Gbsalvio (1943), rated blitz match,
September 25, 2007
(278) White to move
31.Nxf7 and if the Black King captures
the White Knight, he no longer guards his
own knight.
Missed in the game Euwhei (1886) –
Gbsalvio (1852), rated blitz match,
September 16, 2007
(279) White to move
22.Qxb5+ axb5 23. Be3 wins the
exchange because the bishop is attacked
twice, can’t be defended and when it
moves, it exposes the rook on a8
Variation from the game Doxxas (1925) –
Gbsalvio (1880), rated blitz match,
September 16, 2007
(280) White to move
12.Bxf7+ Qf7+ defects the Black Queen
away from the mate threat on g2. White
can follow up with 13. Qxf7 Kxf7 then
Black has multiple pieces under attack and
can’t save them all 14. dxe7 15. Bxe7
gxh3 and white is up a piece.
From the game Matthew De Elena (1535)
– Jose Castillo (896), 2010 Ye Old
Pueblo Open, Round 3, July 17, 2010,
Tucson, AZ.
(281) Black to move
17...Nf3+ and after the pawn captures the
knight on f3, the Bishop recaptures. Mate
in one is then unstoppable via Rh1.
Missed in the game Chernee (1953) –
Gbsalvio (1862), rated blitz match,
August 19, 2007
(282) White to move
45.Kd2 and mate next move via c3 is
unstoppable
From the game Chernee (1949) –
Gbsalvio (1866), rated blitz match,
August 19, 2007
(283) Black to move
12...Bd5 pins and wins the knight. It is
attacked twice (by the knight on d6 and the
bishop on d5). If 13. Ref1 (or 13. Rae1)
adding a new defender 13…f5 and the
knight can’t move because of the pin on
the queen.
From the game Lsetia (1862) – Gbsalvio
(1834), rated blitz match, August 20, 2007
(284) White to move
29.Qe8+! and mate to follow with either
29...Rf8 30.f7+ Kh8 31.Qe5#
or
29...Rxe8 30.Rxe8+ Rf8 31.Rxf8#
From the game Julian Evans (2012) –
Isaac Martinez (1720), Denver Chess
Club Autumn Cornucopia, Round 1,
October 16, 2010
(285) White to move
30.Rxf6 removes the defender of the h5
pawn. If 30…gxf6 31. Qh5+ Kg8 32. Qh6
Ne7 33. Qg7#
From the game Shannon Fox (1774) – Rim
Yurkus (1559), DCC 2010 Club
Championship, January 24, 2010, Round 3
(286) Black to move
13...Qxf2+ removing the defender of the
back rank leads to
14. Qxf2 Rxd1#
or
14. Kh1 Qxc2 and black is up a Queen
From the game Piasprong (1326) –
Brianwall (2116), ICC 4 0 Internet Chess
Club, January 1, 2003
(287) White to move
32.g4+ forces black to give up their Rook
to get out of check with 32…Rxg4+
33.Rxg4
From the game Marc Larocca (2010) vs
Bennet Pellows (1873), MCC
Thanksgiving Swiss, Round 3, November
21, 2006.
(288) Black to move
14...Qh7 and white will have to give up a
ton of material to avoid mate on the h file
From the game Slowman (2168) –
Brianwall (2178), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess
Club, November 07, 2002
(289) Black to move
16...Bxh3 and pawn can’t recapture
because of the pin on the g file from the
Black Queen to White King. This is a
very common tactical pattern, and a good
one to know.
From the game Rikkitikkitavi (2082) –
Brianwall (2186), ICC 5 0, Internet Chess
Club, October 10, 2002
(290) Black to move
18...Qg4 threatens mate in one. If white
plays g3, Queen h3 seals the deal
From the game Pakuka (2293) – Brianwall
(2323), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, July
20, 2003
(291) White to move
36.Rh7+ deflects the Black King, and
creates a mating net
36...Kxh7 37.Qxf7+ Kh8 38.Bxe5#
36...Kf8 (or 36…Kg8 or 36…Kf6)
37.Qxf7#
From the game Tyler B. Hughes (1891) –
James “J.C.” MacNeil (1747), 2004
Foundation Cup Team, Round 3, January
10, 2004
(292) White to move
14.Qf6+ This stops the checkmate by
forcing a queen trade
From the game Famelicodaterra (2305) –
Brianwall (2378), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess
Club, August 8, 2003
(293) White to move
5.Bxf7+ A common opening trick that
wins a pawn. If 5…Kxf7 6. Ng5+ and 7.
Qxg4 winning back the sacrificed piece.
From the game PureRWandB – Gsaenz,
ChessCube Game, September 7, 2010
(294) Black to move
20...h3 threatening 21…Qxg2#. White has
no good defense. If 21. g3 Qxg3+ (the f
pawn is pinned by the Bishop on c5) 22.
Kh1 Qg2#
Variation from the game Frogo47 (2515) –
Brianwall (2419), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess
Club, August 16, 2003
(295) Black to move
39...Rxc5 Wins a pawn – the d4 pawn is
pinned to the White Rook on undefended
Rook on d2
From the game Redwoodpete (1563) – Mr
Anderson (1688), Ladder,
redhotpawn.com, December 1, 2010
(296) Black to move
26...Nf3+ Forks the King and Queen
taking advantage of the pinned g pawn
From the game Tobyornottoby (2168) –
Brianwall (2315), ICC 3 1 Internet Chess
Club, August 30, 2003
(297) Black to move
20...Rbh4 and white either gets mated, or
a skewer of the King and Rook on a1 on
the next move. For example 21. f3 (or 21.
f4) Rh1+ 22. Kf2 Rxa1. If 21. g3 Rh1+
22. Kg2 Be4+ 23. f3 R8h2#
From the game Horacerumpole (2197) –
Brianwall (2241), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess
Club, November 17, 2003
(298) Black to move
23...Rxf3 the g pawn is pinned, and can’t
recapture.
From the game Thomas Ludovic (2329) –
Brianwall 2329, ICC Internet Chess Club,
April 30, 2004
(299) Black to move
14...Qg3+ and mate next move 15. Kh1
Qh2#. The f pawn is pinned by the bishop
on c5.
From the game Su7338 (2085) –
Brianwall (2090), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess
Club, April 29, 2004
(300) Black to move
28...f5# is a cute checkmate, also forking
the King and Rook
From the game Biki (2157) – Brianwall
(2382), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club,
April 25, 2004
(301) Black to move
10...Bh3 and White cannot stop mate via
Bg2 and Rh1#
Variation from the game Paddywack
(1742) – Checkmates (1838), ICC 5 0
Internet Chess Club, April 22, 2004
(302) Black to move
14...Bg3 and White cannot stop Qxh2#
From the game Younggun (2026) –
Checkmates (2133), ICC 3 0 Internet
Chess Club, April 21, 2004
(303) Black to move
14...Be6 forks the White Queen and White
Knight, who will be won after the Queen
retreats.
From the game Sarojan (2243) –
Brianwall (2343), ICC 50 Internet Chess
Club, April 9, 2004
(304) Black to move
14...Rh1+ sacrifices the rook for mate in
two via Qh4+ and Qh2. This move doesn’t
allow White a chance to capture the pawn
on g3. Who says that tripled pawns are
bad :-)
This game features teacher and student.
Life Master Brian Wall was the one who
first taught Tyler Hughes (Checkmates)
how to play the Fishing Pole when he was
just a small boy. Here Tyler makes Brian
“bleed his own blood” using the Fishing
Pole to create a nice mating attack.
From the game Brianwall (2372) –
Checkmates (2242), ICC 3 0 Internet
Chess Club, April 8, 2004
(305) Black to move
5...Bxf2+ is a common discovered attack
trick in the Budapest Gambit, 6. Kxf2
Ng4+ 7. Ke1 Qxg5
From the game Saint1 (1386) – TimmyBx
(1708), Open invite, redhotpawn.com,
June 4, 2009
(306) White to move
5.Nxg6 gets both pieces that are attacked
out of trouble, and takes advantage of the
h7 being pinned to the Black Rook on h8.
If 5…hxg6 6. Qxh8
From the game Lotharstar (1635) –
Mhidinge (954), Open invite,
chessatwork.com, May 28, 2010
(307) Black to move
15...Qxg3+ and mate the next move, taking
advantage of the pinned f pawn, 16. Kh1
Qg2#
From the game Oguzbey (2202) –
Brianwall (2362), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess
Club, January 15, 2004
(308) Black to move
29...fxe4+ wins the queen with a
discovered check
From the game Einsteller (2381) –
Brianwall (2456), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess
Club, January 12, 2004
(309) Black to move
24...Rxg3# The pawn on f2 is pinned by
the “peek-a-boo” bishop on a7.
From the game Davrahm (2358) –
Brianwall (2431), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess
Club, January 7, 2004
(310) Black to move
36...Qxb3 wins the knight. If the rook
recaptures, White gets checkmated via
37…Rd1#
From the game Moll (2364) – Brianwall
(2351), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club,
December 24, 2003
(311) Black to move
11...Qh3 keeps the pressure on without
losing the queen. White cannot stop mate.
For example 12. Rxf2 Nf3+ Rh2 Qxh2#
From the game Tiggytamal (2115) –
Brianwall (2197), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess
Club, December 19, 2003
(312) Black to move
15...Re1+ leads to mate after
16.Bf1 Ne2+ The White Rook on f2 is
pinned from the Black Bishop on c5
17.Kh1 Nxf2+ 18.Kh2 Ng4+ 19.hxg4
hxg4+ 20.Bh6+ Rxh6#
or
16.Rf1 Ne2+ 17.Kh1 Rxf1#
From the game Hsk (2353) – Brianwall
(2364), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club 2003,
June 2, 2003
(313) Black to move
13...hxg4 clearing the h file with the threat
Qh2#. Mate cannot be stopped.
(314) Black to move
15...f3 with the threat 16…Qg2# and mate
cannot be stopped
16.Qxf3 gxf3 17.Ne3 Qxh2+ 18.Kf1
Qh1#
16.Ne3 Qxh2+ 17.Kf1 Qh1#
From the game Fearless (2430) –
Brianwall (2371), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess
Club, July 8, 2003
(315) White to move
6.Nxe5 wins a pawn and threatens 7. Bf7#
if 6…dxe5 7. Bf7+ overloads the Black
King 7…Kxf7 8. Qxd8 winning the
Queen.
(316) White to move
29.Rxc6 wins a pawn. If 29…Qxc6
Bxd5+ forking the Queen and King
From the game Francisco Baltier Jr
(1618) – Richard Trapp (1700), 2008
National Open, Round 5, June 8, 2008
(317) Black to move
50...Rxb7+ Both rooks are under attack.
Black wins a dangerous passed pawn, and
will get his rook back on the next move
with 51. Nxd3 transposing into an easily
won endgame.
From the game Francisco Baltier Jr
(1618) – Richard Trapp (1700), 2008
National Open, Round 5, June 8, 2008
(318) Black to move
34...Bxe6 wins a pawn that appears to be
protected. If 35. Rxe6 Nd3+ 36. Ke4
Rxe6+ 37. Kxd3 Black ends up the
exchange.
Variation from the game Blacktop (1409)
– Pawncentric (1479), ICC 5 3 Internet
Chess Club, April 2, 2011
(319) Black to move
18...Qxg5# an interesting checkmate with
almost all of Black’s army helping out
From the game Occupymybrain (2313) –
Brianwall (2341), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess
Club, February 15, 2003
(320) White to move
35.Rxd7 wins a piece 35…Kxd7 36.
Nc5+ forking the King and Rook
From the game Randy Canney (2241) –
Isaac Martinez (1669), 2011 Colorado
Springs Open, Round 2, March 5, 2011
(321) Black to move
9...Qe3# and White is trapped by his own
army.
From the game Ursa Major (1818) –
evilone (1864), Rated game, 5m + 0s,
February 18, 2004
(322) Black to move
17...Qh2+ 18. Kf1 Qh1#
Variation from the game Earth (2371) –
Brianwall (2354), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess
Club, April 1, 2003
(323) Black to move
18...Rxh3+ Black pieces are surrounding
the White King like a pack of rabid
wolves 19. gxh3, Qxh3#
From the game Propsero Buenavista
(2224) – Brianwall (2384), ICC 3 0
Internet Chess Club, May 31, 2003
(324) Black to move
16...hxg4 removing the defender of the
White Bishop on h4, and opening the h file
for an attack on the White King
Variation from the game Frentz (2007) –
Gbsalvio (2062), ICC Internet Chess
Club, August 1, 2007
(325) Black to move
23...h3 threatening 24…hxg2#. White has
some spite checks, but cannot stop mate
24. gxh3 Rxh3 25. Qxh3 Qxh3#
From the game Frentz (2007) – Gbsalvio
(2062), ICC Internet Chess Club, August
1, 2007
(326) White to move
18.Bg5 adds a second attacker to the
pinned Black Bishop on h4. If the Bishop
moves, 18…Bxg5 19. Rxh7 winning the
Queen for a Rook and Bishop.
Variation from the game Alfred Mont
(1808) – Gbsalvio (1868), rated blitz
match, July 23, 2007
(327) White to move
10.Qd8# a good mating pattern to know
for quick kills in the opening.
Missed in the game Stonking (1833) –
Gbsalvio (1840), rated blitz match, July
28, 2007
(328) Black to move
26...Qxg2+ skewers the White King and
Queen
Missed in the game Stonking (1833) –
Gbsalvio (1840), rated blitz match, July
28, 2007
(329) Black to move
Just taking the Queen is fine, but 28...Re3+
leads to mate. For example 29. Rd3
Rxd3+ 30. Kc4 b5+ 31. Kc5 Rc3+ 32.
Qc4 Rxc4#
From the game Stonking (1833) –
Gbsalvio (1840), rated blitz match, July
28, 2007
(330) Black to move
22...Rxg3 wins the Bishop because the f
pawn is pinned.
From the game Ito (1920) – Gbsalvio
(1882), rated blitz match, July 30, 2007
(331) White to move
27.Rd8# From the same game as above.
Black found a nice tactic that won a piece,
then missed a back rank mate 2 moves
later.
From the game Ito (1920) – Gbsalvio
(1882), rated blitz match, July 30, 2007
(332) White to move
15.Qh4 blocks the checkmate and saves
the queen
From the game Chesscvo (2048) –
Gbsalvio (1884), rated blitz match,
August 3, 2007
(333) Black to move
19...Qh3+ 20. Kd2 Qd3#
From the game Chesscvo (2074) –
Gbsalvio (1867), rated blitz match,
August 3, 2007
(334) White to move
6.Qe5+ forks the Black King and Rook
From the game evilone (1855) – Theun
(2004), Rated game, 5m + 12s, February
18, 2004
(335) White to move
7.Ng5 adds a second attacker to the f7
pawn, and discovers an attack on the
loose knight on h5.
From the game Chris Prather (1905) –
Stanley Vehyl (709), Saint Louis Open,
Round 1, April 10, 2010
(336) Black to move
26...Qf3#
From the game Turkishrain (1829) –
Gbsalvio (2008), ICC Internet Chess
Club, December 6, 2007
(337) White to move
16.e5 dxe5 17. Ne4 traps the awkwardly
placed Black Queen. Black would have
to play 16…Nxe5 to prevent the Queen
getting trapped, but this gives up a piece
for a pawn.
From the game Jeffrey Kovalic (1906) –
Dennis Humphries (1727), St. Louis Open
(338) Black to move
10...Qxd1 removes the defender of the f2
pawn. 11. Rxd1 Nxf2 wins a pawn, gets
the knight out of danger, attacks the rook
on d1, and sets up a discovered check for
the next move.
From the game Biki (2253) – Brianwall
(2393), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club,
December 8, 2007
(339) White to move
12.Nxb4 Bxb4 13. Qa4+ Forks the Black
Bishop and King, winning a piece.
From the game Petelin (2396) – Brianwall
(2346), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club,
March 19, 2001
(340) White to move
16.Qd5 attacks the knight on c6, which is
pinned to the Black Rook on a8. Black
has no way to defend this Knight.
From the game Ajop (2910) – Brianwall
(2300), ICC 5 5 Internet Chess Club blitz,
September 29, 2004
(341) White to move
34.Qa5+ Kb7 35. Qb6#
Variation from the game Kajeng (2392) –
Brianwall (2441) – ICC 4 0 Internet
Chess Club, August 9, 2003
(342) White to move
35.Rb8+ and the Black King is forced to
block the rook file so the pawn can queen.
35…Ka4 36. a7 Rb4 37. a8=Q
Missed in the game Mayonaise (2324) –
Brianwall (2390), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess
Club, May 31, 2003
(343) Black to move
20...Bd6 skewers the White Queen and the
Knight on h2. If the Queen moves, 21.
Qd4 then 21…Bxh2+ wins a piece. If the
White Knight recaptures on h2 with 22.
Nxh2, then 22…Qg2#
Variation from the game Valentin Minchev
(2484) – Krol Wladyslaw (2315),
AR.2004.Q.00004, Round 1, December
27, 2004
(344) White to move
11.Nxd6+ taking advantage of the pinned
e pawn. If 11…Qxd6 Bxd6, and if 11…
Kd7 12. Bb5+ Kc7 13. Nxf7+ forking the
Queen and Rook with discovered check.
From the game Selden Trimble (1916) –
Randy Giminez (2000), Steinitz Open,
Round 1
(345) Black to move
23...c5 The pawn on b4 is pinned to the
White Knight on c4. Next move Black can
win a pawn with 24…cxb4 taking
advantage of the a3 pawn pinned to the
White Rook on a1.
From the game Jesok (2092) – Brianwall
(1973), ICC 25 0 Internet Chess Club,
August 25, 2004
(346) White to move
14.Nxf7! takes a pawn, attacks the Queen
on d8, and sets up a nasty discovered
check if Black captures the Knight 14…
Kxf7 15. Bc7+ Kg8 16. Bxd8 winning the
Black Queen.
From the game Robert E. Lawson (1971) Selden Trimble (1916), Steinitz Open,
Round 2
(347) Black to move
41...Re2+
if 42. Kf1 Qf2#
if 42. Kh3 Bc8 wins the queen.
if 42. Kg1 (or Kh1) Qc1#
From the game orgelsimon (1598) –
johnny mac (1480), Clan challenge,
redhotpawn.com, September 4, 2011
(348) Black to move
44...Ne5+ forks the king and rook
Missed in the game johnny mac (1480) orgelsimon (1598), Clan challenge,
redhotpawn.com, September 4, 2011
(349) White to move
11.Bxh7+ leads to mate after 11…Kh8
12. Bg6+ Kg8 13. Qh7#
Note that 11. Qxh7+ allows the Black
King to escape, and doesn’t lead to mate.
From the game Matt Angeli (1642) –
Garrett Wirka (1508), Mo Class
Championship, Round 1, June 28, 2008
(350) White to move
33.Bxe3 and if the pawn recaptures, then
34. Rf8+ wins the Bishop which has to
block on e8.
From the game johnny mac (1480) –
foamin (1505), Clan Challenge,
redhotpawn.com, August 27, 2011
(351) White to move
52.Bf6+ chases away the Black King, and
will proceed with 53. d7+ and 54. d8=Q
From the game johnny mac (1480) –
foamin (1505), Clan Challenge,
redhotpawn.com, August 27, 2011
(352) White to move
18.Nxe7+ and if the queen recaptures,
18…Qxe7, it no longer guards the Bishop
on c4, allowing 19. Qxc4+ winning a
piece.
Missed in the game foamin (1505) johnny mac (1480), Clan Challenge,
redhotpawn.com, August 27, 2011
(353) Black to move
2...Qh4+ with a variation on Fool’s Mate
after 3. g3 Qg3#
Missed in the game Cante Brown (100) –
Eddie Yermolinsky (634), SECF Grand
Prix February, Round 3, February 8, 2009
(354) Black to move
26...Qxf2+ 27. Kh1 Qf1+ 28. Rxf1
Rxf1# is a good back rank mate pattern to
know.
Missed in the game foamin (1505) johnny mac (1480), Clan Challenge,
redhotpawn.com, August 27, 2011
(355) White to move
10.Bd5 forks the Knight and Rook.
Missed in the game Evan Fick (710) –
Colin Perkins (266), SECF Grand Prix,
Round 1, April 5, 2009
(356) White to move
12.Ng1 traps the queen after 12…Qf5 and
13. Bd3
Missed in the game Farzad Farsee (1484)
– johnny mac (1480), January 2011 Long
Haul Split II, Round 1, January 12, 2011
(357) White to move
17.Bxf7+ wins 2 pawns, 17…Kh8 18.
Qxd7. If 17…Rxf7 18. Re8+ Rf8 19.
Qd5+ Kh8 20. Rxf8# with a good back
rank mate pattern to know.
Variation from the game Evan Fick (710)
– Colin Perkins (266), SECF Grand Prix,
Round 1, April 5, 2009
(358) White to move
23.Qe8+ wins the knight
Variation from the game Fred Spell
(1619) – Paul Covington (1969), East
Coast Deli, Colorado Springs, Round 1,
October 5, 2011
(359) White to move
10.Nh4 traps the Black Queen
Missed in the game Benny Kellar (833) –
Alex Uhl (384), SECF Grand Prix April,
Round 5, April 5, 2009
(360) Black to move
14...Nxe3+ captures a pawn, forks the
King and Queen with check, and discovers
an attack on the White Knight on d2 from
the Black Rook on d8. After 15. fxe3
Rxd2 Black gets his piece back, and end
ups a pawn ahead.
Missed in the game Alexander Freeman
(1668) – Isaac Martinez (1738), October
2011 East Coast Deli, Round 2, October
12, 2011
(361) Black to move
10...Qxh2# a common mating pattern in
scholastic games.
From the game Sam Robinson (610) –
Eddie Yermolinsky (778), SECF Grand
Prix May, Round 3, May 5, 2009
(362) Black to move
18...Qd3+ Forces a queen trade. White
was threatening mate with Qxa7#
From the game Alexander Freeman (1668)
– Isaac Martinez (1738), October 2011
East Coast Deli, Round 2, October 12,
2011
(363) White to move
22.Bd5+ and after the pawn blocks, the
bishop captures the pawn and it’s mate.
22…c6 23. Bxc6#
From the game Alexander Freeman (1668)
– Isaac Martinez (1738), October 2011
East Coast Deli, Round 2, October 12,
2011
(364) White to move
32.Rd8+ and after the Black King moves
to the only safe square e6, 32…Ke6 check
with the knight 33.Nc5+ the king can only
go to e7, 33…Ke7.
Then the Rook checks on d7, guarded by
the knight, and wins the bishop. 34.Rd7+
Kf8 35.Rxb7
From the game Daniel Herman (1149) –
Richard Brown (1395) October 2011 East
Coast Deli, Round 2, Colorado Springs,
October 12, 2011
(365) White to move
15.Ng7#
From the game Hunter Kahler (349) –
Carson Boland (119), Winter Open Under
800 Rapid, Round 2, February 6, 2010
(366) White to move
12.Nxd6+ winning a piece with
discovered check.
Missed in the game Jakob Sjovold (233) –
Sean Caloun (554), Winter Open Under
800 Rapid, round 3, February 6, 2010.
(367) Black to move
14...Bxb3 discovered attack, pinning the
White Queen to the King
From the game Devante (685) – Malu
Nair (771), Winter Open Under 800
Rapid, Round 4, February 6, 2010
(368) White to move
17.Nc7+ and it will be mate next move
since the king can’t move to the d file,
17…Kf8 18. Rd8#
From the game Sara Herman (888) – Tara
Martinez (173), East Coast Deli, Round 2,
Colorado Springs, October 12, 2011
(369) Black to move
11...g4 forks the Queen and Knight
From the game Joey Plenty (411) – Kyle
Kooima (696), Winter Open Under 800
Rapid, Round 5, February 6, 2010
(370) White to move
25.Qd4+ and it’s mate next move after the
queen captures the rook which blocks the
check. Rf6 26. Qxf6#
From the game Dean Brown (1352) – Ken
MacRae (1434), East Coast Deli, Round
3, Colorado Springs, October 19, 2011
(371) Black to move
19...Bxf3 and the pawn can’t recapture
because it’s pinned.
From the game Richard Brown (1395) –
Anthea Carson (1790), East Coast Deli,
Round 3, Colorado Springs, October 19,
2011
(372) White to move
15.Bb5 pins the Black Knight on c6 to the
Queen. There is no way to add another
defender, and Black will lose a piece.
Missed in the game Nietzsche1844 (1369)
– Peter Cobb (1454), 2012 Championship,
Round 1, redhotpawn.com, February 1,
2012
(373) White to move
30.Be4+ Forks the Black King and Rook
Missed in the game Nietzsche1844 (1369)
– Peter Cobb (1454), 2012 Championship,
Round 1, redhotpawn.com, February 1,
2012
(374) Black to move
15...e4 double discovered attack on both
Knights. White can’t save them both.
From the game Nietzsche1844 (1369) –
Heatonite (1598), 2012 Championship,
redhotpawn.com, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(375) White to move
19.c7 and Black cannot stop the pawn
from Queening
From the game petaar (1521) Nietzsche1844 (1369), 2012
Championship, redhotpawn.com, Round 1,
February 1, 2012
(376) Black to move
16...Qxc3+ and Black will skewer the
White King and Queen on the next move,
either with 17. Kxf4 Qe5+ or 17. Ke2 (or
17. Kf2) Qc2+
From the game N.N. - Rex Sinquefield,
Gameknot, April 29, 2009
(377) White to move
19.Bc5 attacks the Black Rook on f8, to
deflect it from defending the critical f7
square.
Missed in the game petaar (1521) Heatonite (1578), 2012 Championship,
redhotpawn.com, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(378) Black to move
20...c3 Interference tactic, attacking the
White Queen, and after 21. bxc3 blocking
the Queen from protection of the White
Knight on a5, allowing 21…Qxa5
winning a piece.
From the game rabnes (1475) - Morbius
(1654), 2012 Championship,
redhotpawn.com, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(379) White to move
29.Rh6#
From the game TimmyBx (1890) – johnny
mac (1481), Ladder, redhotpawn.com,
October 17, 2011
(380) Black to move
30...Nd5# a pure checkmate
From the game Eagle and King (1365) –
TimmyBx (1891), Challenge,
redhotpawn.com, October 18,
2011
(381) Black to move
14...Nxg4 15. Fxg4 Qxg4+ forking the
King and Bishop 16. Kh1 Qxg5 picks up
two pawns
Missed in the game mennodepenno (1299)
– rabnes (1475), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(382) Black to move
22...Ba3+ deflects the White King 23.
Kb1 Rxd1#
From the game mennodepenno (1299) –
hedonist (1692), redhotpawn.com, 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(383) White to move
18.Rxe5 safely takes the hanging Bishop
on e5. There is no back rank mate for
black since the light squared bishop can
retreat to f1 to block.
From the game Dave Monuzzi (912) –
Abraham Grinberg (1060), October 2011
Denver Chess Club Tuesdays, Round 4,
October 25, 2011
(384) Black to move
26...Rh1+ skewers the White King and
Rook 27. Kf2 Rxd1 28. Kxg3 and Black is
up the exchange.
From the game Grant Miller (773) –
Dalton Ross (1600), October 2011 DCC
Tuesdays, Round 4, October 25, 2011
(385) White to move
24.Bxh6 the g pawn is pinned, and cannot
capture the White Bishop. Black has to
play g6 and give up the exchange to avoid
the devastating Rxg7+. 24…g6 25. Bxf8
From the game Morbius (1654) – rabnes
(1475), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012.
(386) Black to move
32...Re1+ Forking the White King and
Rook.
If 33. Rxe1 dxe1=Q
If 33.Kh2 Rxb1
Variation from the game Robert Ramirez
(2130) - Brian Wall (2208), October
2011 Denver Chess Club Tuesdays,
Round 4, October 25, 2011
(387) Black to move
27...Rd4 pins the bishop to the queen and
double attacks the bishop. It is
undefendable after 28…Re2, 29. Rc2.
Missed in the game Rhett Langseth (1796)
- Dan Avery (1979), Colorado Springs
Championship 2011, Round 1, October
18, 2011
(388) Black to move
27...Qe1# a good mating pattern to know
From the game Dieter Sievert (1191) –
Nietzsche1844 (1369), 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(389) White to move
39.Qh8+ Kg6 40.Qg7+ Kh5 41. g4+ forks
the King and Queen
From the game Rhett Langseth (1796) Dan Avery (1979), Colorado Springs
Championship 2011, Round 1, October
18, 2011
(390) Black to move
15...Nfd5 attacks the Queen 16. Qc4 the
only safe square for the Queen 16…b5
traps the Queen.
White can save the Queen with 17. Bxh7+
Kxh7 18. Qe2 Nxa2 but loses a Bishop in
the process.
Missed in the game Dieter Sievert (1191)
– Morbius (1654), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(391) White to move
22.Rxd7+ removes the guard of the bishop
on b7 22…Kxd7
23. Qxb7+ If the king moves to the 8th
rank, the black also loses the rook on a8.
23…Ke8 24. Qxa8+
If the Black King moves forward 24.
Re6+ leads to mate 24…Kc5 25. Qb5+
Kd4 26. c3#
Variation from the game junnujannu
(1838) – beatlemania (1709), RHPIC
02/2009, 1400-1700 banded, Round 1,
March 26, 2009
(392) White to move
21.Bc5+ Skewers the King and Knight on
e7, which is now double attacked. 22. Kc6
Nxe7+ wins a piece.
From the game Erin Dame (1651) – Dan
Golopentia, Round 1, February 29, 1992
(393) White to move
28.Ba6# A Boden’s Mate style checkmate
From the game redhotpawn01 (897) –
con25 (1558), Open invite,
redhotpawn.com, October 2, 2007
(394) Black to move
42...Be2 Traps the Black Knight.
From the game Paul Anderson (1770) –
Brad Earlewine (1600), Las Vegas NM,
Round 4, April 19, 2003
(395) Black to move
13...Qb4+ wins the pesky bishop on b7.
Missed in the game Matthew Lasley
(1469) – Dr. Dominic Cangelosi (1537),
2011 Summer Server Series, July 25,
2011
(396) Black to move
19...Qxe5+ Even though black can capture
the bishop on f7, he should first capture
the pawn on e5 with check, since he can
still win the Bishop after White gets out of
check with 20…Kxf7.
From the game Alexander Gitis (1995) –
Paul Anderson (1734), Hillside
Fundraiser, Round 2, April 5, 2003
(397) Black to move
26...Rg2+ 27. Kh1 Rxh3# is a nice mate
in two
From the game Dieter Sievert (1191) –
Peter Cobb (1454), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(398) White to move
23.Rxh7#
Missed in the game ZonaGrad (1470) –
sTpny (1313), Rated blitz match 3 0,
November 2, 2011
(399) White to move
40.Qxe6 and even though White gives up
the Queen, there is no way for Black to
stop from the d pawn from queening, 40…
Qxe6 41. d7 h6 32. d8=Q+
Missed in the game Larry Wutt (1860) –
Anthony Cordova (1477), 2008 Colorado
Open, Round 1, August 5, 2008.
(400) White to move
5.Bxa6 wins a piece after 5…Nxa6 6.
Qa4+ forking the King and Knight
Missed in the game Peter Cobb (1454) –
mennodepenno (1299), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(401) White to move
19.Bh3 pins and adds a second attacker
to the Black Knight on g4. There is no
way for black to save this piece. If 19…
f5 20. Rxf5
From the game hedonist (1692) – petaar
(1521), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(402) White to move
11.f5 traps the Bishop
From the game hedonist (1692) –
gothcharles (1638), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(403) White to move
20.Nxf7#
From the game Mjolnir – Blacklespaul,
RHP rated blitz, February 16, 2009
(404) Black to move
17...Qg5 threatens mate with 18…Qxg2,
and sets up a deadly discovered check.
For example 18. g3 Nxh3+ 19. Kg2 Qxd2
winning the White Queen.
From the game Fred Ryan (1396) – Sgillis
(1342), Open invite, redhotpawn.com,
January 20, 2009
(405) Black to move
39...Rf6# an interesting checkmate
From the game Edward Epp (2009) –
Marc Larocca (2100), MCC Winter
Warmer Swiss, Round 3, January 17,
2006
(406) White to move
16.Ne4 forks the Black Queen and
Bishop. There is no retreat square for the
Queen where she can still protect the
bishop.
From the game hedonist (1692) – Peter
Cobb (1454), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(407) White to move
8.Bxf7+ When the king moves up it is
then checkmate from the knight on d5. 8…
Ke7 9. Nd5# This is the famous Légal’s
mate. White has cleverly sacrificed his
queen on d1 for this sneaky checkmate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9gal
From the game Konhen (1463) – Karl
Heinz Glenz (1185), Challenge,
redhotpawn.com, January 10, 2009.
(408) White to move
17.Qh6+ and after the king moves to
either g8 or h8, the white knight trades for
the knight on f6, which then allows the
queen to capture the pawn on h7 with
checkmate. 17…Kg8 18. Nh6+ Qxf6 19.
Qxh7#
From the game Gallicrow – Guest396280,
Friendly Game, 5m +0s, January 22, 2009
(409) Black to move
13...Ne4 discovered attack. The White
Knight on c3 is double attacked and
pinned, so Black will either win the
Knight or capture the White Rook on a1
after the White Knight moves. 14. Nxe4
Bxa1
From the game Duecer (1030) – Dlapetina
(1557), 2009 Championship,
redhotpawn.com, Round 1, January 2,
2009
(410) White to move
9.Nd6# smothered mate
From the game Swissgambit (2008) –
Kinboshi (1641), redhotpawn.com,
Atheist Cup 2, Round 2, June 24, 2008
(411) Black to move
17...Bc5 Pins the White Queen to the
King.
From the game Red House (1631) –
porygon (1958), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(412) White to move
19.Nc8+ forces the Black King to the 8th
rank, and after any King move, 20. Nxd6
discovered check Ke7 21. Rxf7#
From the game Ehilu (1875) – Genedestia
(1379), redhotpawn.com, Challenge, June
18, 2008
(413) Black to move
13...Nd4 and White cannot save the Queen
and prevent the smothered mate Nc2#. If
14. Qe3 Nc2+ forks the King and Queen.
From the game Leonidas (1357) –
Amolv06 (1532), redhotpawn.com,
October 2008 Quartets I, Round 1,
October 22, 2008
(414) White to move
9.Nb5 Threatening the queen, and also
mate on c7 with 10. Nc7#. The Black
Queen cannot find a safe square to guard
c7, so this wins the Queen, since Black
needs to stop the mate.
From the game Paultopia (1415) – Nibbe
(1445), Starless Skirmish Trial
Tournament II, Round 2, December 9,
2008
(415) White to move
10.Nf6# Double Discovered Checkmate
From the game Paul Tomaino (1729) –
Jjrosen (1052), redhotpawn.com,
Challenge, April 10, 2008
(416) Black to move
6...Nxe5 unfortunately you can’t take the
queen or you get Legal’s mated via 7.
Bxf7 Ke7 8. Nd5#
Missed in the game O Artem (1172) –
Amsterdamn (1475), Open invite,
redhotpawn.com, February 28, 2007
(417) Black to move
18...e4 attacks the White Bishop on d3 and
discovers an attack on the White Knight on
d6. Black wins a piece.
From the game Red House (1631) –
Arnoud (2343), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(418) Black to move
19...Bd3 skewers the White Queen and
Rook
From the game Inspector5251 (1321) –
Red House (1631), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(419) Black to move
20...Bxc3 and white has no good way to
recapture. The b pawn is pinned to the
Rook.
From the game Inspector5251 (1321) –
scrappie (1747), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(420) White to move
13.Bg6+ Double discovered check 13…
Kd7 14. Be8 A beautiful checkmate!
(421) White to move
12.Qh5 attacks the knight on g5, and
threatens mate on f7. Black can’t meet
both threats, and will lose a piece.
From the game Henry23 (1875) – Lohxias
(1405), Open invite, redhotpawn.com,
September 5, 2008
(422) White to move
15.Bf7+ Kf8 16. Qh6#
From the game Henry23 (1875) – Lohxias
(1405), Open Invite, redhotpawn.com,
September 5, 2008
(423) White to move
18.Ne5 attacks the Black Knight on d7,
and discovers an attack on the Black
Bishop on b7.
If 18…Nxe5 Bxb7 and Black has both
their Knight and Rook under attack
If 18…Bxg2 Nxd7 forking the Black
Queen and Rook
From the game Inspector5251 (1321) –
jecidi (1661), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(424) Black to move
19...Nf5+ 20.Kg4 Rh4+ 21.Kg5 Qd8#
(21…Bd8#) and the Fat Lady has sung
From the game t8r10 - Fat Lady, RHP
Blitz rated blitz, September 12,
2008.
(425) Black to move
9...Bb3 10. Qd1 Nc2 forks the Queen and
Rook
Missed in the game porygon (1958) –
Inspector5251 (1321), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(426) Black to move
20...Rxh3# the g pawn is pinned
Variation from the game Ed Cronin (1387)
– James MacNeil (1627), 1999 Colorado
Open, Round 4, Denver, September 7,
1999.
(427) White to move
32.Ra8+ all roads lead to mate.
32...Qxa8 33.Nf6+ Kh8 34.Qxh7#
32...Rd8 33.Rxd8+ Qe8 34.Rxe8#
From the game John Schultz (1556) –
Dean Brown (1429), 2003 Winter Springs
Open, Round 3, Colorado Springs, CO,
December 7, 2003
(428) Black to move
4...g6 prevents the mate on f7. White is in
trouble after 5. Qh4 Be7 and there is no
way to save the Knight that is pinned and
attacked twice. Black wins a piece.
From the game Hosea (1628) –
Pureredwhiteandblue (1859), 15 minute
game, chesscube.com, September 7, 2008
(429) Black to move
14...Ne2+ removes the White King from
the defense of the f2 pawn, which is now
attacked twice. 15. Kh1 Rxf2
From the game Hosea (1628) –
Pureredwhiteandblue (1859), 15 minute
game, chesscube.com, September 7, 2008
(430) Black to move
31.Rg7+ Kh8 32. Qh4 leads to mate
From the game Paul Anderson (1734) –
Ricardo Schianffino (974), Hillside
Fundraiser, Round 1, April 5, 2003
(431) White to move
14.Bxh7+ the classic “Greek Gift”
sacrifice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_gift_sac
White will followup the attack with
moves like Rh3, Qh5, and Black is in
trouble regardless if they accept the “gift”
or not. This is a complicated tactical
idea, but a good one for future study, as it
comes up often.
From the game Eladar (977) – Zdveslo
(1459), ICS rated blitz match, September
7, 2008
(432) Black to move
52...Rf2+ discovered check, helping
Black trade down into an easily won
endgame. 53. Kg3 Rxh2 54. Kxh2
From the game GoodKnight2U (1535) –
Calexico (1983), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(433) White to move
17.Qg4+ leads to mate
17...Kd6 18.Be7+ Kxe5 19.d4#
17...Qe6 18.Qxe6#
From the game Gatusso (1806) – Damian
Balinski (1885), July 2008 Grand One
Seven I, redhotpawn.com, Round 1, July
8, 2008
(434) White to move
16.Ne7# A cool checkmate with 2 knights.
From the game Pizzaoliveb (2165) –
Drmajorbob (2034), Challenge,
redhotpawn.com, April 2, 2004
(435) Black to move
7...Ba6+ runs White out of luck. Giving
up a piece with 8. Nb5 is the only way to
avoid the checkmate. If 8. Kd2 f3#, which
is what happened at the game.
From the game Luck (1417) – Mutt N Stu
(1628), King’s Gambit (Thematic
Tournament) III, Round 1, July 3, 2008.
(436) Black to move
29...c5+ Wins the rook on d5 with
discovered check
From the game Richard Buchanan (2117)
– Paul Anderson (1924), May Quad,
Colorado Springs, CO, Round 2, May 27,
2008
(437) Black to move
35...Bd1 pins the White Queen to the King
From the game runningcamelot (833) –
GoodKnight2U (1535), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(438) Black to move
12...Qxh2#
From the game Bambee (1256) –
Pureredwhiteandblue (1300), Clan
Challenge, July 24, 2008
(439) Black to move
3...g6 protects the pawn, and prevents the
checkmate 4. Bxh5 Rxh5 5. Qxh5 g6 6.
Qxg6# In the game Black played 3…
g5?? and got mated in this manner.
Missed in the game Crapablanca (1164) –
be my m8 (1185), Challenge,
redhotpawn.com, July 22, 2008.
(440) Black to move
28...Bd5+ a remove the defender tactic
29. Kc3 Ne4+ 30. Kd3 Qxb4 winning the
White Rook.
Missed in the game runningcamelot (883)
– GoodKnight2U (1535), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(441) White to move
14.Qxd8#
From the game Mikeyobviously (1203) Tombertrand (1082), Challenge,
redhotpawn.com, June 6, 2008
(442) White to move
7.Bxe5 wins a piece that is attacked twice
and only defended once. The pin on the
Queen is nothing to worry about, because
White will remain a piece ahead after 7…
Qxe5 8. Nxe5 Bxd1 9. Kxd1
Missed in the game Mikeyobviously
(1203) - Tombertrand (1082), Challenge,
redhotpawn.com, June 6, 2008
(443) White to move
10.Nb5 threatens 11. Nc6+ and also 11.
b4 forking the Black Queen and Bishop.
Black cannot meet both threats.
From the game Neilion (1237) –
Mikeyobviously (1203), Open invite,
redhotpawn.com, July 2, 2008
(444) Black to move
17...Rxh2+ a nice rook sacrifice leading
to mate.
18.Kxh2 Qh8+ 19.Bh3 Qxh3+ 20.Kg1
Nxe2#
or
18.Kg1 Nxf3#
Variation form the game
Pureredwhiteandblue (1340) - Edson
Alonso Lopes (1316), redhotpawn.com,
Clan challenge, February 24, 2008
(445) Black to move
10...Bg3# calls in The Wolfe
From the game General Wolfe (1018) –
Sequelchbelch (1657), redhotpawn.com
Challenge, July 6, 2008
(446) White to move
7.Bf7#
The complete game went 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3
f6 3. d4 d6 4. Bc4 Ne7 5. dxe5 fxe5 6.
Nxe5 g6 7. Bf7#
From the game Exigentsky –
Simplerastaman, uChess rated, July 8,
2008
(447) White to move
8.Bxf7+ Kd8 9. Ne6# a cute checkmate
From the game c0lefalk (684) –
Radoroadie (831), redhotpawn.com,
Challenge, March 12, 2008
(448) Black to move
15...Qd7 or 15…Qc8 and Black mates
White on the light squares.
16. Nd2 Qh3 17. Nxf3 exf3 and white
cannot stop 18… Qg2#
From the game Lucidfiction (1294) –
Tamuzi (1383), redhotpawn.com,
Challenge, May 21, 2008
(449) Black to move
60...Ng2+ forks King and Bishop trading
down into an easily won endgame. 61.
Kf2 Nxe1 62. Kxe1 d2+ and Black
promotes to a Queen on the next move.
From the game Hawaiianhomegrown
(1244) – Timmybx (1763), Ladder,
redhotpawn.com, November 24, 2010
(450) Black to move
24...Bxh2+ leads to mate 25.Qxh2 Qxh2+
26.Kf1 Bd3+ 27.Ke1 Qe2#
Missed in the game Deon Michaels (997)
– Timbender (1370), Clan challenge,
redhotpawn.com, January 10, 2010
(451) White to move
18.f4 attacks and wins the knight, which is
pinned to the mate threat on g7. Black
cannot move the knight, without allowing
18…Qg7#
From the game Looker (1594) – Toberg
(1414), Open invite, redhotpawn.com,
March 27, 2011
(452) Black to move
10...Bh4+ discovered attack, winning the
White Queen on the next move.
From the game runningcamelot (883) –
takinitez (1851), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(453) White to move
21.Nc7+ a clearance and deflection tactic
forking the Black King and Rook. 21.
Qxc7 22. Qe6+ forks the Black King and
Rook. 22…Qe7 23. Qxg8+ Kd7 24.
Qxa8
Missed in the game runningcamelot (883)
– tgun77 (1381), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(454) Black to move
41...Bd6 pins the White Rook
From the game Loffe (1348) – TOberg
(1414), Open invite, redhotpawn.com,
February 13, 2011
(455) Black to move
15...Qxf2+ 16. Kh1 Qxe1#
From the game TOberg (1414) – Mcmre
(1174), Open invite, redhotpawn.com,
March 4, 2011
(456) Black to move
16...Nb4 attacks the White Queen on a6,
and threatens a fork of the White King and
Rook on c2+. White cannot meet both
threats.
From the game beaver1949 (1154) –
GoodKnight2U (1535), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(457) White to move
36.Re8+ Skewers the Black King and
Queen
From the game beaver1949 (1154) –
Busygirl (1091), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(458) White to move
32.Rg7+ X-ray attack on the Black Knight
on d7
From the game beaver1949 (1154) –
Busygirl (1091), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(459) Black to move
35...Bxe4+ Discovered attack on the
White Queen from the Black Rook
From the game beaver1949 (1154) –
tgun77 (1381), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(460) White to move
7.Qh5# a variation on “Fools Mate”
From the game C Johnny (866) –
Imnewtochess (521), Challenge,
redhotpawn.com, March 18, 2009
(461) White to move
35.Rxf5 wins a piece, if 35…Qxe5 36.
Rxe5 Rxf1 37. Bxf1.
If 35…Rxf5 36. Qxg3
From the game Ernest Hong (1905) –
Edgar Reyes (1755), Halloween
Tournament, Round 2, Reno, NV,
November 7, 2002
(462) White to move
18.Nc7+ InvadorOfRome invades with a
fork of King and Rook
From the game InvaderOfRome (2000) –
Busygirl (1091), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(463) White to move
29.c7 and the pawn cannot be stopped
From the game InvaderOfRome (2000) –
Oist (1456), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(464) White to move
16.Bg5 traps the Black Queen
From the game Ernest Hong (1905) –
Stephen Cindrich (1647), Halloween
Tournament, Round 6, Reno, NV,
December 12, 2002
(465) White to move
9.Nxe5 wins a piece that is attacked
twice, and only defended once.
From the game Busygirl (1091) –
runningcamelot (883), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(466) White to move
37.fxg5+ wins the Black Bishop with
discovered check
From the game Busygirl (1091) –
beaver1949 (1154), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(467) Black to move
14...Bg4 traps the White Queen
Missed in the game Busygirl (1091) –
Calexico (1983), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(468) Black to move
49...e3+ discovered check, winning the
White Bishop
From the game Craig Christensen (1500) –
Edwin Simanis (1872), White Knights
Tournament, Round 1, Reno, NV
(469) Black to move
31...Bxd1 gets the Black Bishop out of
danger, and wins a piece. If 32. Rxd1
Ne2+!! forks the White King and Queen,
and threatens a back rank mate with
Rxd1.
From the game George Smith (1413) –
Edgar Reyes (1809), White Knights
Tournament, Round 1, Reno, NV, January
9, 2003
(470) Black to move
37...Qxf1+ wins a Rook that is attacked
twice, and only defended once. 38. Qxf1
Rxf1+
Variation from the game Zonagrad (1951)
– Elgallo (2108), Ladder,
redhotpawn.com, December 16, 2010
(471) Black to move
9...Bxh6 overloads the White Queen, who
can’t recapture, and still guard the Knight
on d4. 10. Qxh6 Nxd4 wins a piece.
From the game Johannes Ziegler (1538) –
Ernest Hong (1905), White Knights
Tournament, Round 1, Reno, NV, January
9, 2003
(472) White to move
13.Nxf6# a cute smothered mate.
Missed in the game tgun77 (1381) –
runningcamelot (883), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(473) White to move
53.Rxa2 stops Black from Queening their
pawn, before making a Queen of their
own.
From the game Ricardo Arteaga (1335) –
George Kirste (1733), White Knights
Tournament, Round 2, Reno, NV, January
16, 2003
(474) Black to move
17...Nc3+ Forks the White Queen and
King
Missed in the game tgun77 (1381) –
beaver1949 (1154), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(475) Black to move
3...Qxe4+ forks the King and Rook on h1
From the game tgun77 (1381) –
beaver1949 (1154), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(476) White to move
45.Be6+ White gets his Bishop out of
danger with check, and can take the Black
Knight on g3 the next move.
From the game Oist (1456) –
GoodKnight2U (1535), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(477) Black to move
17...g6 wins the White Queen. 18. Qxh6
Bg7 19. Qh4 Nxh3+ discovered attack on
the Queen.
Missed in the game Oist (1456) –
GoodKnight2U (1535), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(478) White to move
39.Nxh6! wins a pawn. If 39…Kxh6 40.
Rh1+ leads to mate 40…Qh5 41. Qg5+
Kh7 42. Rxh5#
From the game Grant Fleming (1748) –
George Fischer (1851), White Knights
Tournament, Round 2, Reno, NV, January
16, 2003
(479) White to move
32.Ne7+ leads to mate 32…Kc5 33.
R8d5# or 32…Kc7 33. Rc8#
Missed in the game Oist (1456) –
runningcamelot (883), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(480) Black to move
34...e3+ forks the White King and Rook
Missed in the game Laroy O’Doan (1600)
– Tim Aguayo (2096), White Knights
Tournament, Round 2, Reno, NV, January
16, 2003
(481) White to move
25.d4 attacks the pinned Black Bishop,
which can’t move without losing the Black
Rook on c6
Variation from the game Oist (1456) –
takinitez (1851), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(482) White to move
8.Bd3 traps the Black Queen
From the game Oist (1456) – beaver1949
(1154), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(483) White to move
23.Nxd6 Qxd6 24. Bxc5 forks the Black
Queen and Rook
Missed in the game Oist (1456) – tgun77
(1381), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(484) Black to move
30...Rxd6 wins the White Bishop, the e
pawn is pinned.
From the game Spence167 (1169) –
spesialarbeider (1274), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(485) White to move
20.Rxe8 deflects the Black Queen from
the defense of the Knight on f6
Missed in the game mihai52 (2270) – Jon
Eaton (1471), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(486) Black to move
42...Rh8+ 43. Rh6 Rxh6#
From the game David Peterson (1760) –
Michael Goffe (1632), White Knights
Tournament, Round 3, Reno, NV, January
23, 2003
(487) White to move
19.Bg4 Skewers the Black Queen and
Rook
From the game Norm Wyatt (1204) –
Devendra Bayya (860), White Knights
Tournament, Round 3, Reno, NV, January
30, 2003
(488) White to move
32.Rd8#
Missed in the game bplus (1551) –
Spence167 (1169), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(489) White to move
24.Nf7+ forks the Black King and Queen.
Variation from the game Joshua Ziegler
(1524) – Edgar Reyes (1809), White
Knights Tournament, Round 3, Reno, NV,
January 23, 2003
(490) Black to move
24...Qe3# a Dovetail mate
From the game Joshua Ziegler (1524) –
Edgar Reyes (1809), White Knights
Tournament, Round 3, Reno, NV, January
23, 2003
(491) Black to move
7...Be5 wins the Rook on a1, which
cannot move or be defended.
Missed in the game bplus (1551) –
Spence167 (1169), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(492) Black to move
31...Qd5+ and White cannot stop mate 32.
Qe4 Qxe4 33. Rf3 Qxf3 34. Kg1 Nxh3#
(34…Qg2#)
From the game Michael Goffe (1632) –
Grant Fleming (1766), White Knights
Tournament, Round 4, Reno, NV, January
30, 2003
(493) Black to move
35...Bb3 forces the White Rook off the
fourth rank, 36. Rc3 allowing 36…Bd5+
skewering the White King and Knight.
Black wins a piece.
From the game William Johnson (unrated)
– Joshua Ziegler (1524), White Knights
Tournament, Round 2, January 20, 2003
(494) White to move
40.Rxd3 takes a piece threatening a back
rank mate, and removing the defender of
the Black Rook on c1
From the game James Mann (1497) –
Norm Wyatt (1204), White Knights
Tournament, Round 4, January 20, 2003
(495) Black to move
26...axb5+ discovered attack on the White
Queen.
From the game bplus (1551) – bkpchs237
(1693), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(496) Black to move
12...Qb4+ forks the White King and
Bishop
Missed in the game cyclingcrossfitguy
(1170) – Brisbane Broncos (1244),
redhotpawn.com 2012 Championship,
Round 1, February 1, 2012
(497) Black to move
20...Ne2+ forks the King and Queen
From the game cyclingcrossfitguy (1170)
– TUBTUB (1522), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(498) Black to move
18...Ncxe5 winning a pawn with a
discovered attack on the Bishop on b5 and
clearance sacrifice threatening 19…c2
forking the White Queen and Knight.
Missed in the game cyclingcrossfitguy
(1170) – Jayhawk34 (1583),
redhotpawn.com 2012 Championship,
Round 1, February 1, 2012
(499) Black to move
12...g5 traps the White Bishop
From the game cyclingcrossfitguy (1170)
– cadwah (1473), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(500) Black to move
8...Nd3# is a common mating pattern in
the Budapest gambit. On the previous
move white played axb4 "winning" a
bishop, but missed the smothered mate.
From the game Randy Schine (1718) –
David Hartsook (2056), Denver Chess
Club, Round 2, October 12, 2010.
(501) Black to move
18...Qxc4 Nothing tricky here. The
bishop is attacked twice, and only
defended once.
From the game Rim Yurkus (1541) – Bob
Crume (1800), Denver Chess Club, Round
2, October 12, 2010.
(502) Black to move
30...Ng5+ Forks the King and Rook.
From the game Rim Yurkus (1541) – Bob
Crume (1800), Denver Chess Club, Round
2, October 12, 2010.
(503) White to move
15.Bxb4 Nxb4 and either 16. Nc3 or 16.
Nbd2 attacks the Black Bishop on e4, and
unpins the a pawn to the White Rook.
Black has two pieces under attack, and
cannot save both.
From the game Daoud Zupa (2021) –
Andre Patin (1448), Denver Chess Club,
Round 2, October 12, 2010.
(504) White to move
30.Nfg5# An interesting and unusual
checkmate in the middle of the board
From the game Daoud Zupa (2021) –
Andre Patin (1448), Denver Chess Club,
Round 2, October 12, 2010.
(505) Black to move
32...Rxg3+ A surprising and alert check,
because Black's queen is hanging and
under attack. The f pawn is pinned, so
cannot capture the rook.
From the game David Hartsook (2051) –
Dymitr Mozdyniewicz (2048), Denver
Chess Club, Round 3, October 19, 2010.
(506) White to move
32. e6+, which was missed in the game,
checks the king and opens a forking square
on e5 for the white knight. If 32…fxe6
33. Ne5+ forks the King and Rook. If
32…Ke7 33. exf7 and the Black King
cannot capture this pawn again because of
the Knight fork 34. Ne5+. White ends up
with a dangerous passed pawn on the 7th
rank or winning the Black Rook.
From the game Jason Maes (1497) – Jose
Olmos (1611), Denver Chess Club, Round
3, October 2010
(507) White to move
47. Bc3 Making sure that black doesn't
make a queen, even though it means giving
up the knight, which is attacked by the f5
pawn.
From the game Jason Maes (1497) – Jose
Olmos (1611), Denver Chess Club, Round
3, October 2010
(508) Black to move
22...Nxe5 Winning a pawn, and removing
a defender of the Knight, which had a nice
outpost on d6. The f4 pawn is pinned to
the Queen.
From the game William O’Neil (1647) –
Randy Schine (1687), Denver Chess Club,
Round 3, October 2010
(509) Black to move
24...Qxh2# A simple mate in one
Variation from the game William O’Neil
(1647) – Randy Schine (1687), Denver
Chess Club, Round 3, October 2010
(510) Black to move
23...Qxh3# White is up a piece, but all of
his army is on the queenside doing
nothing, while his King is like Macaulay
Culkin on Christmas – Home Alone.
Missed in the game Matt Malensek (1387)
- Daoud Zupa (2021), Denver Chess Club,
Round 1, September 7, 2010
(511) White to move
30.Re7 attacks the Bishop on e3, and
threatens 31. Bh7+ Kf8 32. Ng6# Black
cannot meet both threats, and will lose the
Bishop, or get checkmated.
Missed in the game Andre Patin (1447) –
Mark Willis (2040), Denver Chess Club,
Round 1, September 7, 2010
(512) Black to move
3...Qh4+ White has misplayed the
Falkbeer counter-gambit variation of the
King's Gambit, in which Black sacrifices
a pawn in return for quick and easy
development.
The game started 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 but
white made a mistake by playing 3. fxe5
and is punished with 3…Qh4+ which
picks up the e4 pawn on the next move.
The complete game went 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5
3. fxe5 Qh4+ 4. Ke2 Qxe4+ 5. Kf2 Bc5+
6. Kg3 Qxe5+ 7. Kf3 Qh5+ 0-1
From the game Tom Corbett (1478) vs
Dimitriy Fisch (1842), Denver Chess
Club, Round 2, September 14, 2010
(513) Black to move
36...Rb2 Adds a seconder attacker to the
very weak g2 pawn, threatening mate. 37.
Rg1 38. a1=Q. Black has several good
moves in this position, including f4, which
was played in the game.
Variation from the game Dymitr
Mozdyniewicz (2107) - Andre Patin
(1447), Denver Chess Club, Round 2,
September 14, 2010
(514) White to move
16.Qxh6 White has an unusual lineup of
pieces and pawns on the d file. Qxh6
wins a loose pawn and threatens mate on
h7
Variation from the game Makr Willis
(2040) – Paul Kullback (1334), Denver
Chess Club, Round 2, September 14, 2010
(515) White to move
22.Rxe4 wins a piece - the d5 pawn is
pinned
Missed in the game Daoud Zupa (2021) –
William O’Neil (1607), Denver Chess
Club, Round 2, September 14, 2010
(516) Black to move
25...Re2+ 26. Kg1 (or 26. Kf3)
26…Qxg2#
Variation from the game Spence167
(1169) – bkpchs237 (1693),
redhotpawn.com 2012 Championship,
Round 1, February 1, 2012
(517) White to move
25.Qf8+ forks the Black King and Rook.
Missed in the game Justin Alter (1240) –
Andre Patin (1447), Denver Chess Club,
Round 3, September 21, 2010
(518) Black to move
17...Qxb2 Gets the Queen out of the attack
from the White Knight on g4 and wins a
pawn
Missed in the game Jason Maes (unrated)
– Tom Corbett (1478), Denver Chess
Club, Round 3, September 21, 2010
(519) Black to move
6...Nc2+ Family Fork
From the game Spence167 (1169) – bplus
(1551), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(520) White to move
30.Qc3 pinning the Black Rook to the
Black Queen, which is getting overloaded
trying to protect h7 and the Rook on f6.
From the game William O’Neil (1607) –
Matt Malensek (1400), Denver Chess
Club, Round 3, September 21, 2010
(521) Black to move
24...Ba6 Skewers the Rook and Bishop
Variation from the game Randy Schine
(1718) - Justin Alter (1240), Denver
Chess Club, Round 4, September 28, 2010
(522) Black to move
28...hxg3 opens up the h file where Black
has a deadly battery lined up. Amazingly
White somehow survived this attack, and
won the game in a near 600 point upset.
From the game Bruce Bain (846) vs Emir
Santana (1424), Denver Chess Club,
Round 1, June 1, 2004.
(523) White to move
13.Nd6+ Kd8 14. Nf7+ forks the King and
Rook
From the game goodknightout (1613) –
bplus (1551), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(524) Black to move
32...Rh1+ Not Rxf2 which was played in
the game. It is better to play 32…Rh1+
followed by 33. Kg2 R8h2+ 34.Kg3
Bh4+ 35. Kf4 Rxf2+ Ke5 Rxa1 when
black has won everything, not just the
Queen for a Rook.
From the game Bruce Bain (846) vs Emir
Santana (1424), Denver Chess Club,
Round 1, June 1, 2004.
(525) White to move
15.Be3 and Black cannot stop the mate 16.
Bxa7+ Kxa7 17. Qa6+ Kb8 18. Qa8#
Missed in the game spesialarbeider
(1274) – Nsolomon (1159),
redhotpawn.com 2012 Championship,
Round 1, February 1, 2012
(526) White to move
37.gxf4 deflecting the queen from her
protection of the Black Bishop on g7
From the game Ron Akin (1806) – David
Weatherall (1653), May Daze, Round 1,
Denver, CO, May 2, 1998
(527) Black to move
7...Qh4+ Forks the White King and
Knight.
Missed in the game spesialarbeider
(1274) – Nsolomon (2270),
redhotpawn.com 2012 Championship,
Round 1, February 1, 2012
(528) White to move
38.Rh5+ followed by mate after Kg7
Rh7#
Variation from the game Ron Akin (2013)
– Tom McKenna (1943), Global Server
Game, November 20, 2002
(529) White to move
12.hxg5 opening up the h file. See follow
up in the next problem
From the game Tim Brennan (1666) –
Robert Parker (1747), New Mexico
Memorial, Round 5, February 1, 2004
(530) White to move
13.Qh5 creates a battery on the h file.
These types of attacks against a castled
king can be very hard to defend against.
In this case there is no way to stop the
mate.
13...f5 14.g6 Qh4 15.Rxh4 Nxd2
16.Qh7#
13...f6 14.g6 Nxd2 15.Qh7#
13...Nxd2 14.Qh7#
From the game Tim Brennan (1666) –
Robert Parker (1747), New Mexico
Memorial, Round 5, February 1, 2004
(531) White to move
22.Rd4 forks the queen and knight
Missed in the game La Moyne Splichal
(1616) – Andrew Smith (1927), 2004
Foundation Cup Team, Round 1, Ft.
Collins, CO, January 10, 2004
(532) White to move
36.Nc6+ and Black has to give up the
Rook, or gets hook mated with 36…Kb6
or 36…Kb7 37. Rb8#
Missed in the game spesialarbeider
(1274) – bkpchs237 (1693),
redhotpawn.com 2012 Championship,
Round 1, February 1, 2012
(533) Black to move
52...f2 and the White Rook cannot stop a
pawn from Queening.
From the game spesialarbeider (1274) –
bplus (1551), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(534) Black to move
9...Bxf3 removes the defender of the g5
square. 10. gxf3 Bg5 pinning the White
Queen to the King. This is a common
tactic when one side has castled
Queenside.
Missed in the game Nsolomon (1159) –
spesialarbeider (1274), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(535) White to move
47.Rg7+!! Discovered attack on the Black
Queen on f5
From the game Daoud Zupa (1947) – Paul
Grimm (1684), New Mexico Memorial,
Round 2, Bernalillo, NM, January 30,
2004
(536) White to move
24.Bxd4 and if 24…Qxd4 25. Bb5+
discovered attack
Variation the game mihai52 (2270) –
goodknightout (1613), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(537) White to move
47.Qc4+ forks the Black King and Rook
Variation from the game David Landers
(1927) – Alexander Gitis, Winter Springs
Open, Round 2, Colorado Springs, CO,
December 6, 2003
(538) Black to move
16...Nc3+ forks the White King and Rook.
From the game Brisbane Broncos (1244)
– TUBTUB (1522), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(539) White to move
12.Bxd5 exd5 13. Bxe7 Rxe7 14. Nxd5
forks the Black Queen and Rook (the c
pawn is pinned).
From the game John Schultz (1556) – Sam
Meyer (1311), Winter Springs Open,
Round 2, Colorado Springs, CO,
December 6, 2004
(540) White to move
50.c7 the only winning move. 50…Rc6
51. Rd7 and Black can’t stop Rd8+ and
c8=Q
From the game Brian Wall (2236) – Denis
Kholodar (2200), 2003 Winter Springs
Open, Round 3, Colorado Springs, CO,
December 7, 2003
(541) Black to move
12...Nf4 forks the White Queen and
Bishop. The Queen cannot move, and still
protect the Bishop.
Missed in the game GoodKnight2U (1535)
– tgun77 (1381), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(542) Black to move
13...Qg3+ a forced mate on the weak dark
squares 14.Kf1 Be3 15.Nh3 Bxh3
16.Rxh3 Qf2#
From the game Fel (1108) – Mbakunin
(1336), redhotpawn.com Clan challenge,
August 8 2008
(543) White to move
32.Ra8+ all roads lead to mate.
32...Qxa8 33.Nf6+ Kh8 34.Qxh7#
32...Rd8 33.Rxd8+ Qe8 34.Rxe8#
From the game John Schultz (1556) –
Dean Brown (1429), 2003 Winter Springs
Open, Round 3, Colorado Springs, CO,
December 7, 2003
(544) Black to move
22...Rxf4 wins a piece with a discovered
attack on the White Queen
From the game GoodKnight2U (1535) –
Oist (1456), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(545) Black to move
34...bxc4 Gets the King out of check, and
captures a bishop that is just hanging
there. Problems like this are kind of
"stupid" but good at training you to really
look at what is going on in the position,
and not miss the "obvious". They often
have surprisingly low success rates on
sites like http://www.chess.com's tactics
trainer where you can see how well
people did in solving a problem.
Variation from the game Randy Canney
(2237) – Denis Kholodar (2200), 2003
Winter Springs Open, Round 4, Colorado
Springs, CO, December 7, 2003
(546) Black to move
67...Nd8 The only move for Black here.
This stops the f6 pawn from advancing to
a make a Queen, and makes it awkward
for the White Bishop to get back in the
game without sacrificing their best pawn.
Black went on to win this game in 85
moves.
From the game Randy Canney (2237) –
Denis Kholodar (2200), 2003 Winter
Springs Open, Round 4, Colorado
Springs, CO, December 7, 2003
(547) White to move
24.Qxc3 picks up the hanging piece. The
overly complicated 24. Bxh6?? Hoping
for 25. Qxg7# loses to 24…Ne2+ forking
the White King and Queen.
From the game Thys (1368) – rookguy
(1606), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012.
(548) Black to move
39...Qd4+ forks the White Rook and King.
40 Kc3 b4 attacking the pinned piece
Missed in the game Brisbane Broncos
(1244) – Tintin1963 (1763),
redhotpawn.com 2012 Championship,
Round 1, February 1, 2012.
(549) Black to move
19...Bh4 pins the White Queen to the
King.
From the game Brisbane Broncos (1244)
– Tintin1963 (1763), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012.
(550) White to move
28.Qxe8+ The crowning sacrifice. 28…
Kxe8 29. h8=Q+
From the game Bela Geczy (1921) –
David Landers (2037), 1998 Winter
Springs Open, Round 1, April 14, 2011
(551) Black to move
44...b5 traps and discovers an attack on
the White Bishop
Variation from the game John Schultz
(1513) – Joe Bihlmeyer (1780), 1998
Winter Springs Open, Round 1, Colorado
Springs, CO, December 5, 1998.
(552) White to move
9.e6 attacks the pinned Black Bishop on
d7 and discovers an attack on the g7 pawn
from the White Bishop on c3. Black
cannot defend both threats.
From the game GoodKnight2U (1535) –
runningcamelot (883), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(553) White to move
43.Kd3 prevents 43…Be4 stopping the
runaway h pawn, and gives White an easy
win.
Missed in the game Stephen Jackson
(1610) – William Blake Garcia (1431),
Winter Springs Open, Round 1, Colorado
Springs, CO, December 5, 1998
(554) White to move
24.Nxe5 The best move here is to ignore
the threat to your Queen, and create a
threat of your own with this capture. 24…
Rxd3 25. Nxc6 and White is up a piece.
Missed in the game GoodKnight2U (1535)
– takinitez007 (1851), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(555) White to move
31.Rxe7+ and it is “Good Night to you”
31…Nxe7 32. Qxe7+ forks the King and
Rook
From the game GoodKnight2U (1535) –
Busygirl (1091), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(556) Black to move
17...Be4 Skewers the Queen and Rook
From the game Hunter Brogna (1377) –
Francisco Baltier (1525), 2007 Foothills
Open, Round 4, December 15, 2007
(557) White to move
16.Rfc1 kicks the Queen, so White can
safely play 17. Qxd5 on the next move,
winning a piece.
From the game Jonathan Richard
Jorgensen (903) – Aaron J. Rubi (869),
Winter Springs Open, Round 1, Colorado
Springs, CO, December 5, 1998
(558) White to move
19.Be5 Fritz notated this move with “and
White can celebrate victory”. This adds a
second attacker to the Black Knight on g3.
If 19…Nf5 20. g4 forks the two Knights.
Missed in the game John Sschultz (1513)
– Eugeniu B. Lungulescu (1809), Winter
Springs Open, Round 1, Colorado
Springs, CO, December 5, 1998
(559) White to move
22.Bc2 traps the Queen forcing Black to
give up material
Variation from the game John Sschultz
(1513) – Eugeniu B. Lungulescu (1809),
Winter Springs Open, Round 1, Colorado
Springs, CO, December 5, 1998
(560) Black to move
22...Rg6 traps the White Bishop
From the game Brisbane Broncos (1244)
– cdwasserman (1421), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(561) White to move
31.Qd8+ Houston, we have a problem
31…Rxd8 32. Rxd8#
From the game Josh Fitzpatrick (911) –
Traci Houston (413), Winter Springs
Open, Round 2, Colorado Springs, CO,
December 5, 1998.
(562) White to move
24.Rf7+
(563) Black to move
36...Qxh3
(564) Black to move
32...Rc1#
(565) Black to move
28...Nc4
(566) Black to move
32...Qxf4
(567) White to move
34.Ka2
(568) White to move
33.Qg5
(569) Black to move
46...Qa6
(570) White to move
34.Qa2+
(571) White to move
31.Qe5+
(572) White to move
8.a5 overloads the Black Queen. If 8…
Nxa5 9. Bxb2 Qxb2 10. Rxa5 and White
wins a Knight for 2 pawns. If 8…Qb4 9.
c3 and the Black has no safe squares
where they can still guard the bishop on
b2.
Variation from the game Brian D. Wall –
Brad Lundstrom, Pueblo Spring is Sprung
Rapid, Round 5, April 2, 2011
(573) White to move
10.d5 is a common pawn fork
From the game Wcristen (2434) –
Checkmates (1716), S19B Tournament,
Round 1, March 19, 2003.
(574) White to move
20.Qc8+ and a back rank mate after 20…
Qd8 21. Qxd8+ Ne8 22. Rxe8# (or 22.
Qxe8#)
Variation from the game Thegeometer –
Knaaky FICS, April 14, 2011
(575) White to move
21.Qxc8! leading to a knight fork 21…
Qxc8 22. Ne7+ winning a rook
Missed in the game Thegeometer –
Knaaky FICS, April 14, 2011
(576) Black to move
42...Nh4+ forks the King and Queen (the
g3 pawn is pinned, so cannot capture the
knight). A good example of ignoring
threats to your own pieces (the hanging
Queen on g4) and finding threats of your
own to make.
From the game Dan Tucker (2002) – Brian
Wall (2075), ICC 3 0, April 5, 2011
(577) Black to move
20...Qxa4 wins a piece. The White
Bishop on b3 cannot recapture because of
the pin on the b file from the Black Rook
on b8 to the White King on b1.
From the game Junglechess (2030) –
Brian Wall (1941), ICC 1 0, February 9,
2010
(578) Black to move
14...Rh1+!! and mate after 15. Kxh1 Qh4
16. Kg1 Qh2# This is a very good mating
pattern to know.
From the game Asterix (1979) – Gbsalvio
(1825), Internet Chess Club blitz, January
3, 2008
(579) White to move
15.Qd7+ delivers Max pain. The knight
cannot capture the White Queen because
of the pin from the Bishop on g5. 15…Kf8
16. Qxf7#
From the game Peter Karp (1571) – Max
Abugov (1226), MCC March Forward
Swiss, Round 4, March 22, 2005.
(580) Black to move
20...Nf3+ is a common mating pattern
with “Fishing Pole” style formation
attacks. As Brian Wall (playing Black in
this position) says “Every opening, can
and should, transpose into a fishing pole”.
After 21. gxf3 exf3 Black has a
discovered attack from the Bishop on g6
to the Queen on c2, and a mating net with
Qh3 and Qg2#. White cannot stop both
threats.
Variation from the game Kurt Kondracki
(1931) – Brian D. Wall (2220), March
Madness Rapid, Round 1, March 19, 2011
(581) White to move
8.e5 attacks the Knight on d6 and clears
the way for the mating attack with Bishop
and Queen on h7. Black cannot meet both
threats at the same time, and will either
lose a piece, or be mated. Attacks like
these are common in scholastic
tournaments.
From the game Chandler Matthew
Meinders (412) – Devon Wall (717),
2011 Colorado State Scholastic
Championship, Round 3, February 19,
2011.
(582) Black to move
22...Qxf2# On the previous move White
played 22. Rh1?? Trying to harass the
queen, but should have defended the f2
pawn instead with 22. Rf1
From the game Skylane (918)- Floyd4219
(1062), Aug ’06 Mini Banded Threesome
1050-1100, Round 1, September 18, 2006
(583) Black to move
22...Qxd2# a nice checkmate. Black lost
a piece early in the game, but survived an
attack, fought back, and punished white for
leaving his king in the middle of the
board.
From the game Chandler Matthew
Meinders (412) vs Devon Wall (717),
2011 Colorado State Scholastic
Championship, Round 3, February 19,
2011
(584) White to move
White has two pieces hanging (the knight
on h8 and the bishop on c5) , but 18. Ng6
leads to an amazing mate in 2 – 18…Ke8
19. Nd6#
From the game Pureredwhiteandblue
(1859) – Hd176733, April 14, 2011
(585) Black to move
11...Nc2+ is a common forking square for
the knight
From the game Jay Shaeffer (1652) – John
Haigh (1926), 1997 Cheyenne Open, WY,
Round 1, November 15, 1997
(586) White to move
20.f5 leaves black with no good
defenses. His queen is under attack, and
is needed for the defense of the knight on
f6, which is attacked twice from white.
There are no squares where the Black
Queen can move, and still defend the
Black Knight.
From the game Wayne Pressnall (1826) –
John Bowers (1603), 1997 Cheyenne
Open, WY, Round 1, November 15, 1997
(587) Black to move
13...Nd4 attacks the knight on f3, which is
preventing the mate Qxh2#, and also
threatens Ne2+. If 14. cxd4 Bxd4+ leads
to mate
From the game Scott Massey (1776) –
Anthea Carson (1773), Daffy Down Dilly
Open, Round 2, May 7, 2011
(588) Black to move
20...Nd3 Forks the White Queen and
Rook. The White Bishop on e2 cannot
capture the Knight, because it is threat
pinned to the Rook on e1, due to the
battery of Black Rooks on the e file.
From the game rabnes (1475) – hedonist
(1692), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012.
(589) Black to move
23...Qb2
(590) Black to move
24...exf4
(591) White to move
25.b4
(592) Black to move
17...dxc3+
(593) White to move
20.Bxf4
(594) Black to move
24...Nh4
(595) White to move
25.Kf1
(596) Black to move
29...Rg1
(597) Black to move
23...Rf8
(598) Black to move
22...Bg5
(599) Black to move
28...Ng3+
(600) Black to move
19...Qxc3+
(601) Black to move
21...Nxe4+
(602) Black to move
21...Bxf3
(603) White to move
22.Rh1
(604) White to move
27.Ng5+
(605) White to move
19.Rxg3
(606) White to move
20.Qxf6
(607) Black to move
26...Rac8
(608) Black to move
31...Rxc1#
(609) White to move
9.Bxf7+
(610) White to move
19.Rf1
(611) Black to move
7...Qxe4+ and mate the next move 8. Qe2
Qxe2
From the game Jsf80238 (1505) –
Zonagrad (1620), Open invite,
redhotpawn.com, May 28, 2008.
(612) Black to move
61...Rxf5+
(613) Black to move
57...Rh3+
(614) White to move
32.Qf7+
(615) Black to move
29...Bf5
(616) White to move
30.Nxe6
(617) White to move
41.a6
(618) White to move
26.Nc4+
(619) White to move
28.Qxf6
(620) Black to move
30...Rh3
(621) White to move
48.Qxc7+
(622) Black to move
20...Rxc2+
(623) Black to move
31...Qe2
(624) White to move
51.b6
(625) White to move
54.e7
(626) Black to move
26...Rxg4
(627) Black to move
32...Qxe4
(628) White to move
20.Qf6+!! got a double exclam from Deep
Rybka. The e pawn is pinned 20…exf6
Rxe8# (or 20…Kg8 Qg7#)
From the game Henry23 (1875) –
Rura1980 (1760), Open invite,
redhotpawn.com, August 28, 2008
(629) Black to move
21...Qxh3+ The g pawn is pinned 22. Kg1
Qxg2#
From the game Ed Cronin (1387) – James
MacNeil (1627), 1999 Colorado Open,
Round 4, Denver, September 7, 1999.
(630) Black to move
31...Bd4+ forks the King and Rook
From the game friis76 (1349) – porygon
(1958), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012,
(631) White to move
20.Nf6+ double discovered check – after
20…Kh8 White follows up with 21. Bxh6
and mate soon after. For example
21…Nxf6 22. exf6 Bxf6 23. Bf4+ Kg8
Qh7#
From the game Wes Kern (1564) –
Stephen Wilson (1217), 1999 Colorado
Open, Round 2, Denver, September 6,
1999.
(632) White to move
15.Bb5+ forces the King to the d file,
15…Kd8 16. Rd1 skewering the Black
Queen and King. All other options lead to
immediate mate, for example, 15…Nd7
16.Qa8#
From the game Richard de Long (1688) –
Robbie Caldwell (916), 1999 Colorado
Open, Round 2, Denver, September 6,
1999.
(633) White to move
42.b7 and the White pawn cannot be
stopped from becoming a Queen.
From the game Valeriy Levitan (1180) –
Larry Wutt (1565), 1999 Colorado Open,
Round 2, Denver, September 6, 1999.
(634) White to move
27.Bxc4 wins a piece that is attacked
three times, but only defended once.
Nothing tricky here.
Variation from the game Michael Presutti
(1614) – Michael Munafo (1518), 1999
Colorado Open, Round 1, Denver,
September 4, 1999
(635) White to move
26.Nxe5+ grabs a pawn, and wins the
Black Queen with a discovered check.
From the game Mark Lauer (1427) –
Richard de Long (1688), 1999 Colorado
Open, Round 1, Denver, September 4,
1999
(636) White to move
19.Qg6+ leads to mate with the idea 19…
Kh8 20. Qxh6+ Kg8 21. Kh2 and the
White Rook checkmates on the open g file.
Variation from the game Constantine
Vigderman (1441) – Gary Bagstad (1700)
1999 Colorado Open, Round 3, Denver,
September 5, 1999
(637) Black to move
30...Kg7 with the threat Rh8 leads to mate.
31.Bg8 Rxg8 32.Kh3 Rh8+ 33.Nh6
Rxh6+ 34.Qh5 Rxh5#
Missed in the game Constantine
Vigderman (1441) – Gary Bagstad (1700)
1999 Colorado Open, Round 3, Denver,
September 5, 1999
(638) Black to move
34...Nf3+ and White has to give up the
Queen to get out of check. 35. Qxf3 Qxf3
From the game friis76 (1349) – Inspector
5251 (1321), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(639) Black to move
25...Bxg3 threatens mate and attacks the
Rook on e1. White is busted. Some
sample lines:
26.Rc2 (to stop Qxh2+ and Qf2#) Bxe1
27.Qxe1 Qxf3 and Black is up a Bishop
and two pawns.
26.Qe2 Rxe3 27.Qg2 Rxe1+ 28.Rxe1
Bxe1 White is down two Bishops.
26.Re2 Bxf3 pinning the Rook to the
Queen, and grabbing another pawn.
Missed in the game Gary Crites (1254) –
Andre Patin (1600), 1999 Colorado Open,
Round 2, Denver, September 4, 1999.
(640) Black to move
22...Bxe4 23. Qxe4 Nxg3 forks the Queen
and Rook. The f pawn cannot capture
because of the pin from the Black Queen.
Black comes out ahead a pawn, and the
exchange.
From the game Valeriy Levitan (1180) –
Sebastian Buhlmann (unrated), 1999
Colorado Open, Round 5, Denver,
September 6, 1999.
(641) White to move
34.Qxb8+!! got a double exclam from
Deep Rybka. This move wins a pieces,
and forks the King and Queen. After 34…
Qxb8 35. Ra8 pins the Queen to the King.
If 35…Qxa8 36. bxa8=Q+ forks the King
and Rook.
From the game Valeriy Levitan (1180) –
Sebastian Buhlmann (unrated), 1999
Colorado Open, Round 5, Denver,
September 6, 1999.
(642) White to move
26.Rc4
(643) White to move
42.Rxd4
(644) White to move
54.e6
(645) White to move
6.Qh5+ g6 7. Qxg6+!! hxg6 8. Bxg6# (or
the less dramatic 7. Bxg6 hxg6 8. Qxg6#)
From the game Richard De Long (1688) –
Joe Ford (1183), 1999 Colorado Open,
Denver, CO, Round 3, September 5, 1999
(646) White to move
20.Bxh7+ is an alert in between move.
Both the White Queen and Black Queen
are under attack. If 20…Kxh7 21. Qh3+
and White moves his Queen out of danger
with check, and Black will lose their
Queen on the next move.
From the game Sebastian Buhlmann
(Unrated) – Philip M. Brown (1456),
1999 Colorado Open, Denver, CO, Round
3, September 5, 1999
(647) Black to move
9...Nxd4 wins a piece.
From the game schammblut (1272) –
ChessFM (2139), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(648) White to move
42.Qe7 threatens the rook on e8, threatens
mate on g7, and protects the passed pawn
on a7. If 42…Rxe7 43. a8=R+ leads to
mate. If 42…Rg8 to guard the mate threat,
White still Queens, with 43. a8=R (or 43.
a8=Q), and black cannot stop mate.
Missed in the game John Klinski (1632) –
Dan Cabrera (1519), 1999 Colorado
Open, Denver, CO, Round 5, September
6, 1999
(649) White to move
18.Bg6+ and mate after Nh6 19.Bxh6 Rf7
20.Bxg7+ Kxg7 21.Qh7+ Kf8 22.Qxf7#
From the game Ron Rossi (1502) –
Marius Lauer (1427), 1999 Colorado
Open, Denver, CO, Round 6, September
6, 1999
(650) White to move
32.Bxc4 takes advantage of the pinned b
pawn. If 32…dxc4 33. d5! Discovered
attack on the Black Rook and Queen. If
32…Rxc4 33. Rxc4 dxc4 34. d5 kicks the
Black Queen off the weak dark squares
and 35. Qc3 will lead to mate.
Missed in the game Robert Overdorff
(1536) – Keith Parker (1321), 1999
Colorado Open, Denver, CO, Round 5,
September 6, 1999
(651) Black to move
16...Be6 overloads the Rook and skewers
the Rook and Bishop. If 17. Rc5 Bxe5 18.
Bxe6 Bf4+ 19. Kd1 fxe6 and Black is up
a piece.
From the game schammblut (1272) –
porygon (1958), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(652) Black to move
33...Qe2#
Variation from the game Michael Munafo
(1518) – Richard De long (1688), 1999
Colorado Open, Denver, CO, Round 5,
September 6, 1999
(653) Black to move
15...Nxc4 takes the White Bishop with a
discovered attack from the Black Bishop
on g7 to the White Knight on c3. White
cannot recapture, and protect the Knight,
and will lose a piece. For example 16.
Bxc4 Bxc3 These types of discovered
attacks are very common, and this is a
good pattern to know.
From the game schammblut (1272) –
scrappie (1747), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(654) White to move
16.Nxc6+ discovers an attack on the
Black Queen with check. After 16…Qxc6
17. Qxa7+ Kc7 (or 17…Kc8) 18. Rc3
pins the Black Queen to the King.
Missed in the game Ronald Rossi (1502)
– Jon Fortune (1186), 1999 Colorado
Open, Round 3, Denver, September 05,
1999
(655) Black to move
16...Bxc1 wins a piece. If 17. Rxc1 then
17…Qg5 forks the King and Rook.
From the game Gary Bagstad (1700) vs
Ronald Rossi (1502), Round 4 1999
Colorado Open, Spetember 5, 1999,
(656) Black to move
15...Qxb2!! wins a pawn that appears to
be protected and attacks the rook on a1,
which cannot be defended.. The Black
Queen cannot be taken because of the back
rank mate threat Rd1# Very alert play by
black.
From the game Edward Epp (2020) vs
Matthew Phelps (1653) MCC Winter
Warmer Swiss, Round 3, January 16,
2007
(657) White to move
31.Rxe6+ leads to a long, forced mate
31… Kxe6 32.Re1+ Kd6 (32...Kf6
33.Qe7+ Kg6 34.Re6#) 33.Qe7+ Kc6
34.Qc5+ Kd7 35.Re7+ Kd8 36.Qd6+ Qd7
37.Qxd7#
Variation from the game David Harris
(2107) – Christopher Chase (2344), MCC
Holiday Swiss, Round 3, December 19,
2006
(658) Black to move
38...Rc1+ 39. Ka2 Qxa4+ 40.Ra3 Qc4+
forks the King and Rook.
From the game David Harris (2107) –
Christopher Chase (2344), MCC Holiday
Swiss, Round 3, December 19 2006
(659) White to move
13.Bxc6 removes the defender of the
Black Queen on a5. After 13…Qxd2
14.Bxd7+ in between move 14…Kxd7
15.Bxd2 White is up a piece. The key is
to play the checking move before
recapturing the piece. The White bishop
has already captured one piece. Then
black takes the White Queen, then White
takes a second piece with the bishop that
is a check – THEN recaptures the Queen.
Combinations like this in blitz can happen
so fast that sometimes you don’t even
realize that you lost a piece. The move
order is important.
From the game Marc Larocca (2102) vs
Ruben Portugues (1813) MCC Holiday
Swiss, Round 1, December 5, 2006.
(660) Black to move
12...Bg4+ skewering the White King and
Queen, and removing the King from the
defense of the White Bishop on d3.
From the game Tom Corbett (1498) vs
James Dean Garcia (1508), Denver Chess
Club February 2010, Round 2
(661) White to move
31.Rh3 threatening 32. Ng6+ fxg6 33.
Qxh7# which black has no good way to
stop.
Variation from the game Igor Foygel
(2543) vs Denys Shmelov (2251) MCC
Thanksgiving Swiss, Round 4, November
28, 2006
(662) White to move
38.Nxf7# Black has a Knight, Rook and
Queen all guarding the King, but they are
no match for the White Knight, and pawn
deathly duo.
Variation from the game Igor Foygel
(2543) vs Denys Shmelov (2251) MCC
Thanksgiving Swiss, Round 4, November
28, 2006.
(663) Black to move
23...f6 double attacking both the White
Bishop on g5 with the f6 pawn and the
White Queen on h5 from the Black Bishop
on e8. White can’t save both, and Black
wins a piece.
From the game Navaneetha Ruthramoorthy
(2036) vs Charles Riordan (2322), MCC
Thanksgiving Swiss, Round 4, November
28, 2006
(664) Black to move
26...Qh1 and there are no safe squares for
the white rook to go to.
From the game Ilya Krasik (2191) vs
Navaneetha Ruthramoorthy (2036), MCC
Thanksgiving Swiss, Round 3, November
21, 2006
(665) Black to move
14...Rxd1#
From the game Piasprong (1326) –
Brianwall (2116), ICC 4 0 Internet Chess
Club, January 1, 2003
(666) White to move
50.h7 and white will win the pawn race.
From the game David Harris (2106) vs
Gregory Kaden (2010) MCC
Thanksgiving Swiss, Round 2, November
14, 2006.
(667) White to move
30.f4 gets White out of check, and attacks
the Black Queen who is starting to get
overloaded. White wants to play Rxf7#
Black will have a hard time stopping
down all of the threats from White. For
example if 30…Qf6 31.Qxb6 and the
Black Queen cannot capture White’s
Queen and continue to guard f7 at the same
time.
Variation from the game Joshua Haunstrup
(1826) vs Nicholas (1539), Round 1,
MCC Thanksgiving Swiss, November 7,
2006.
(668) Black to move
18...Bxh2+ discovered attack on the
Queen on e3.
Variation from the game Jack Hulton
(508) vs Steve Wollkind (871), Round 1,
MCC Thanksgiving Swiss, November 7,
2006
(669) Black to move
20...Qd5 forks the two rooks
From the game Matthew W. Phelps (1653)
vs Navaneetha Ruthramoorthy (2036),
Round 1, MCC Thanksgiving Swiss,
November 7, 2006.
(670) White to move
29.Qh8+!! is the type of move you see in
a typical tactics book. White gives up his
queen to deflect the Black King, and mate
on the next move if Black captures with a
promotion to another Queen, 29...Kxh8
30.exf8Q# . If the King doesn’t take,
White gets two Queens, and mates a few
moves later.
This move was missed in the game
Gregory Kaden (2010) – David Harris
(2106), MCC Stanley Crowe Memorial,
October 10, 2006. In the game White
played 29. exf8Q+ which is still winning,
but not as beautiful and dramatic.
(671) White to move
54.Re5+ Forks the King and Knight.
Black had to sacrifice his knight on the
previous move, to grab a runaway pawn
on h5.
From the game David Harris (2106) vs
Christopher Chase (2316), Round 2, MCC
Stanley Crowe Memorial 2006, October
10, 2006
(672) White to move
4.Qxf7# The classic “4 move checkmate”
From the game Alexander Perkins (222) –
Ryan Fick (547), SECF Grand Prix
February, Round 5, February 8, 2009
(673) White to move
20.Rab1 kicks the Queen off of the b file.
After the queen moves, 21. Rb8+ skewers
the King and Black Rook on h8, 21…Ke7
22. Rxh8
Variation from the game David Harris
(2106) vs Larry Eldridge (1835), MCC
Stanley Crowe Memorial, Round 1,
October, 03, 2006.
(674) White to move
21.b5 traps the Bishop on a6
From the game David Harris (2106) vs
Larry Eldridge (1835), MCC Stanley
Crowe Memorial, Round 1, October, 03,
2006.
(675) Black to move
46...Kg5 traps the white Rook. The King
makes a good offensive weapon in the
endgame. Players often turn their “tactics
radar” off in the endgame, but this is a
mistake.
This move was missed several times in
the game Ilya Krasik (2202) vs Denys
Shmelov (2222), MCC Summer Vacation
Swiss, round 5, August 29, 2006.
(676) White to move
10.Nf5 discovers an attack on the Black
Queen on b6 and the Black Bishop on g7
at the same time.
This move was missed in the game
Christine Lung (965) vs William Luft
(1378), MCC Summer Vacation, Round 3,
August 15, 2006
(677) Black to move
29...Qb2+ The dark squares weaker than
Popeye without spinach for White. Black
mates with 29...Qb2+ 30.Kd1 Rd8+
31.Qd4 cxd4 32.e4 Rc8 33.Ke1 Rc1#
From the game Bennett Pellows (1832) –
Matthew Phelps (1630), Round 2 MCC
Summer Vacation Swiss, August 8, 2006
(678) Black to move
26...Bxh3 White just did a sacrifice of the
knight on g7, planning to undermine the
defense of the knight on f6. The problem
is this leaves his bishop on h3 under
defended for Black to take. This move
also attacks the rook on f1. If 27. Qxf6
Rc6 and the Black Queen cannot protect
the Black Knight on f7. Black is now
attacking the White Knight on g7 and the
White Rook on f1, and cannot save all at
the same time. Black wins material.
From the game Denys Shmelov (2222) vs
John Chamberlain (2063), MCC-Summer
Vacation Swiss, Round 2, August 8, 2006
(679) White to move
28.N7f5 clears the way for 29. Qg7# and
also threatens 29. Nh6# Black cannot
meet all of these threats.
From the game Denys Shmelov (2222) vs
John Chamberlain (2063), MCC-Summer
Vacation Swiss, Round 2, August 8, 2006
(680) White to move
35.Qd6+ White sacrificed material to
build this mating net, and finishes it off
with 35. Qd6+ Kc8 (only move) 36.
Bxe6# ruining Black’s “summer vacation”
From the game John Chamberlain (2063)
vs Mark Kaprielian (1754) MCC Summer
Vacation, Round 1, August 01, 2006.
(681) Black to move
19...Rae8 adds a second attacker to the
bishop on e4. This bishop is “threat
pinned”, which is a term coined by Life
Master Joel Johnson. The bishop can’t
move because of …Rxe1+ forking the
King and Queen. Black can play f5 on the
next move to take advantage of this pin.
From the game Paul Alan Mishkin (1850)
vs David Harris (2127) MCC Summer
Vacation Swiss, Round 1, August 1, 2006.
(682) Black to move
35...Rh5# and white is mated, with a
sideways back rank mate.
Variation from the game Gary R. Point
(1932) vs Denys Shmelov (2222) MCC
Summer Vacation Swiss, Round 1, August
1, 2006.
(683) Black to move
64...Qe4+ and mate to follow
65.Qf3 Qxf3+ 66.Kg1 Qg2#
65.Kg1 Qg2#
From the game Denys Shmelov (2243) –
David Harris (2105) MCC Independence
Swiss, Round 4, July 25, 2006
(684) Black to move
35...Nf2+ leads to an attractive mate 36.
Rxf2 Qa1+ 37.Bd1 Rxd1 38. Qxd1 Qxd1
39. Rf1 Qxf1# or the “Philador’s Legacy”
with 36. Kg1 Nh3+ 37. Kh1 Qg1+ 38.
Rxg1 Nf2# smothered mate.
Variation from the game John
Chamberlain (2076) vs Paul Alan Mishkin
(1800) MCC Independence Swiss, Round
3, July 18, 2006.
(685) Black to move
30...Bxg3 if 31. fxg3 f2+ forks the King
and Rook. Pawn forks like this can be
hard to spot.
From the game David Plotkin (1892) vs
David Harris (2105) MCC Independence
Swiss, Round 3, July 18, 2006.
(686) White to move
22.Qxe7 wins a piece – if 22… Qxe7 23.
Ng6+ forks the King and Queen
From the game Denys Shmelov (2243) vs
John Chamberlain (2076) MCC
Independence Swiss, Round 2, July 11,
2006.
(687) White to move
20.Bb5+ This nice move accomplishes
several things – it deflects and attacks the
Black Bishop that is on a4 attacking the
Queen on b3 (with check), and clears the e
file, preparing the move Rfe1 pinning the
Queen to the King. Black cannot deal with
all these threats at the same time, and will
lose material.
From the game John Chamberlain (2076)
- Edward Astrachan (1850), Round 1,
July 4, 2006 MCC Independence Swiss
2006
(688) White to move
23.Qd7+ White ignores the threat to his
own bishop, which is under attack, and
goes on the offense with 23. Qd7+ which
forks the Black King and Bishop. The
Bishop cannot block the check because the
e7 square is also attacked by the Rook on
e1. Fritz 13 points out several forced
mates
1. +- (#5): 23...Kg8 24.Bh6 Qc7 25.Re8+
Bf8 26.Qxd5+ Qf7 27.Rxa8 Qxd5
28.Rxf8#
2. +- (#3): 23...Be7 24.Rxe7+ Kg8
25.Qxd5+ Kf8 26.Qf7#
3. +- (#2): 23...Kf8 24.Bh6+ Kg8
25.Qe6#
4. +- (#1): 23...Kf6 24.Re6#
From the game John Chamberlain (2076)
- Edward Astrachan (1850), Round 1,
July 4, 2006 MCC Independence Swiss
2006
(689) White to move
10.Bxd7 White wants to play b4 to trap
the knight, but needs to liquidate the
Bishop first. After 10. Bxd7 Qxd7 11. b4
traps the knight. Knights on the rim are
vulnerable to being trapped, because they
have so few escape squares.
This move was missed in the game Joseph
Murphy (822) vs Sam Giler (1212) MCC
Summer Solstice Swiss, Round 1, June 6,
2006 and White went on to lose the game.
(690) White to move
33.Rg8 cuts off the Black King, brings
another attacker in, and threatens mate
with Qh4. Fritz 13 points out a forced
mate after 33.Rg8 Kh5 34.g4+ Bxg4
35.hxg4+ Kh4 36.Qf4 Qg6 37.g5+ Kh5
38.Be2# (although I didn’t expect you to
see this)
From the game David Harris (2116) –
Jacob K. Wamala (2080), MCC Club
Championship Round 5, May 30, 2006
(691) White to move
19.b4 traps the queen like R. Kelly in the
closet. Black played 18…Nb6?? on the
previous move helpmating his own
Queen. Even 2000+ rated players make
these types of mistakes.
From the game Igor Foygel (2554) vs John
Chamberlain (2082) MCC Club
Championship, Round 4, May 24, 2006.
(692) White to move
30.Bxd1 The obvious way to get out of
check, and White will mate soon after
30.Bxd1 fxg6 31.Bb3+ Bd5 32.Bxd5+
Rf7 33.Bxf7+ Kf8 34.Bd6#
From the game Petr Jirovsky Benjamin
Goldberg MCC May Anniversary Swiss,
Round 3, May 16, 2006
(693) White to move
23.e6 is a discovered attack. If 23…Bxe6
24. Bxg7 Kxg7 25. Qxa4.
Variation from the game David Harris
(2130) vs Derek Slater (2049) MCC
Valentine Swiss Round 4, February 2,
2006
(694) White to move
36.Bxb6 wins a pawn that appears to be
defended. The a pawn is pinned to the
rook on a8, and the queen cannot capture
because of Rxb6.
From the game David Harris (2130) vs
Derek Slater (2049) MCC Valentine
Swiss Round 4, February 2, 2006
(695) White to move
19.exf7+ On the previous move black
played 18…g6 hoping to kick the Queen,
but 19. exf7+ ignores this threat, and
causes problems for the Black King. The
f7 square is attacked 3 times and only
defended twice. Always be on the
lookout for ways that you can attack
instead of doing an automatic retreat.
From the game Joshua Haunstrup (1699)
vs Ethan Thompson (1672) MCC
Valentine Swiss, round 4, February 02,
2006.
(696) White to move
24.Qg5#
Variation from the game John
Chamberlain (2081) vs David Harris
(2112) MCC Winter Warmer Swiss
January 17, 2006
(697) White to move
24.b7#
Variation from the game John
Chamberlain (2081) vs David Harris
(2112) MCC Winter Warmer Swiss
January 17, 2006
(698) White to move
22.Qxf8# Black wasted a lot of time in
this game making pawn moves, and losing
tempi with his queen, instead of
developing and getting his king to safety.
From the game TimmyBx vs
David Hopkins Ladder redhotpawn.com
Feb 2011.
(699) Black to move
25...f5
(700) Black to move
22...Bxd4+
(701) White to move
29.Bxf6+
(702) White to move
8.Bxc4
(703) White to move
10.Qc6+
(704) Black to move
17...Ne3+
(705) Black to move
14...Qxg4
(706) White to move
17.Qg3
(707) White to move
25.Rh6
(708) White to move
30.Rd8#
(709) White to move
24.Ra8+
(710) White to move
24.Ra7
(711) Black to move
19...Nd3
(712) Black to move
9...Ng4
(713) Black to move
29...Qe5
(714) Black to move
26...Rb8
(715) Black to move
34...Nxd2+
(716) White to move
6.Qxg4
(717) Black to move
21...Qxe5
(718) White to move
21.Qxf6+
(719) Black to move
8...hxg4
(720) White to move
17.Nxb6+
(721) White to move
31.Qxd5
(722) White to move
22.Qxf4
(723) Black to move
12...Nd4 attacks the White Queen, chasing
it to a bad square.
Sample lines:
13.Qd1 Nxd3+ 14.Kf1 Nxc1
13.Qe4 (or 13. Qf1) Nxc2+
13.Qf2 Nxd3+ forking the King and Queen
with double discovered check
Missed in the game Mr Anderson (1706) –
Timmybx (1779), December 2010 Mini
Banded Threesomes 18, Round 1,
December 24, 2010
(724) White to move
30.Bh7+ leads to a forced mate 30.Bh7+
Kh8 31.Bg6+ Kg8 32.Qh7+ Kf8 33.Qh8+
Ke7 34.Qxd8#
The Bishop gives a check first, forcing the
King to the corner, then moves to g6 with
a discovered check blocking out the rook
on g3 from its defensive duties. This type
of maneuver is often used to mate the King
with Qf7+, but that isn’t possible here
because of the Black Bishop on e6, but is
a really good mating pattern to
know.
Note that the Rook on d4 is pinned by the
Black Queen, but still helps out in the end.
From the game Timmybx (1779) - Mr
Anderson (1706), December 2010 Mini
Banded Threesomes 18, Round 1,
December 24, 2010
(725) White to move
49.d7 overloads the Black Knight who
cannot stop both runaway passed pawns
49... Nxd7 50.a8=Q
From the game Paul Anderson (1897) –
Dean W. Brown (1569), June Mating
Game, Round 1, June 8, 2010
(726) White to move
11.Bxa6 White has the textbook perfect
development, and simply takes a piece
that is attacked twice and defended once.
From the game TimmyBx (1779) –
Derekoshea (1210), Ladder,
redhotpawn.com, December 2, 2010
(727) Black to move
17...Qxd4 and Black wins a piece. if 18.
Qxd4 Nxe2+
Variation from the game Tim Brennan
(1701) – Jeff Baffo (1857), School of
Mines, Round 3, April 30, 2005
(728) White to move
14.Bd4 attacks the trapped rook on h8,
which has no safe squares.
Missed in the game TimmyBx (1779) –
Fogie (1025), Ladder, redhotpawn.com,
November 29, 2010
(729) White to move
19.Bf7# Always check, it might be mate!
From the game TimmyBx (1779) – Fogie
(1025),
Ladder,
redhotpawn.com,
November 29, 2010
(730) White to move
21.Bg8 clears the way for the White
Queen to mate 21…Kxg8 22. Qh7+ Kf8
Qh8#
21…Rxg8 (or any other move) 22. Qh7#
From the game Gerry Morris (1946) –
Louis Berman (1386), 2010 DCC
Championship, round 4, January 26, 2010
(731) Black to move
18...Bxf2+ wins a valuable pawn helping
to protect the White King. If 19. Kxf2
Qxe4 because the White Bishop on f3 is
now pinned.
From the game Actuals (1331) – Timmybx
(1779), Ladder, redhotpawn.com,
November 11, 2010
(732) White to move
17.Rxe5 is a kill shot that trades a Rook
for two knights, and puts the Queen on a
dangerous square. 17…Nxe5 18. Qxe5
and black cannot stop the mate threats and
defend threats such as 19. Bg5 forking the
Black Queen and Black Rook.
From the game Proper Knob (1655) –
TimmyBx (1779), King’s Gambit Banded
Thematic I 1600-1700, Round 3,
redhotpawn.com, November 13, 2010
(733) White to move
19.Qxc7# the ending from the previous
position.
From the game Proper Knob (1655) –
TimmyBx (1779), King’s Gambit Banded
Thematic I 1600-1700, Round 3,
redhotpawn.com, November 13, 2010
(734) Black to move
25...Bxd3+
(735) White to move
17.Ng5
(736) White to move
17.Qh7#
(737) White to move
43.Kxh6
(738) White to move
16.Bxf6
(739) Black to move
39...Bxc5+
(740) Black to move
9...Qxh4
(741) White to move
26.g5
(742) White to move
22.Qxg7#
(743) White to move
18.Bxg5
(744) Black to move
17...Rfg8
(745) White to move
20.Rxb2
(746) Black to move
19...Qd4+
(747) Black to move
31...Qxe4+
(748) Black to move
31...Ne2+
(749) Black to move
35...Qxb2+
(750) Black to move
26...Bd3
(751) Black to move
30...Qe4+
(752) Black to move
8...Rb8
(753) White to move
13.Nxe7+
(754) White to move
39.Qf6+
(755) White to move
28.Rxg6
(756) Black to move
29...Rxf3
(757) White to move
30.Bxd5+ forks the Queen and King while
grabbing a pawn.
Variation from the game Francisco Baltier
Jr (1618) – Richard Trapp (1700), 2008
National Open, Round 5, Las Vegas, NV,
June 8, 2008
(758) Black to move
34...Rxd5 White thought they could leave
the Bishop hanging, because of the back
rank mate threat but it doesn’t work. 35.
Rc8+ Rd8
From the game Francisco Baltier Jr
(1618) – Richard Trapp (1700), 2008
National Open, Round 5, Las Vegas, NV,
June 8, 2008
(759) White to move
33.Bf8# discovered checkmate
Variation from the game brit commando
(1476) – petronus (1168),
redhotpawn.com 2012 Championship,
Round 1, February 1, 2012
(760) White to move
10.Kxh4 takes the Queen after a really
horrible blunder of 9…Qh4+?? on the
previous move, which just hangs the
Queen. Stuff like this actually happens in
rated long time control games with good
players. Never trust that your opponent’s
last move wasn’t a terrible blunder!
From the game Rick Sheppard (1700) Francisco Baltier Jr (1618), 2008
National Open, Round 6, Las Vegas, NV,
June 8, 2008
(761) White to move
12.Nb5 threatening both 13. Nc6+ forking
the King and Rook and 13. Rab1 trapping
the Black Queen. Black cannot deal with
both threats.
Variation from the game Tim Brennan
(1676) – Shannon Fox (1567), Denver
Chess Club, September 23, 2003, Round 7
(762) White to move
38.Qh8#
From the game Tim Brennan (1676) –
Shannon Fox (1567), Denver Chess Club,
September 23, 2003, Round 7
(763) White to move
18.Bxg7 wins a pawn. Black can’t
capture the Bishop because of 18…Kxg7
19. Ne6+ which would fork the Black
King and Queen.
(764) White to move
19.Bxe6+ wins a pawn with check,
forking the Black King and Rook.
Missed in the game brit commando (1476)
– rookguy (1606), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(765) White to move
32.Rxd4 wins a piece. If 32…Rxd4 33.
Nxb5+ forking the Black King and Rook
From the game Donald Belche (1266) –
Francisco Baltier (1505), 2010 Ye Old
Pueblo Open, Tucson, AZ, Round 2, July
17, 2010
(766) Black to move
22...Ng3 forks the White Queen and Rook,
taking advantage of the pinned f pawn.
Black wins the exchange.
From the game Jose Castillo (896) –
Francisco Baltier (1505), 2010 Ye Old
Pueblo Open, Tucson, AZ, Round 4, July
18, 2010
(767) White to move
21.Nxf6+ takes advantage of the
overloaded Black Queen who is trying to
guard both the Knight on f6, and the
Bishop on c7, and can’t do both.
Missed in the game petronus (1168) – brit
commando (1476), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(768) White to move
39.Nf5 takes advantage of the limited
mobility of the Black Rook on e7. If 39…
Re6 40. Ng7 forks the two rooks. White
wins the exchange.
Missed in the game Tim Brennan (1695) –
Cory Foster (1599), Pikes Peak Open,
Round 4, Colorado Springs, CO, August
3, 2008,
(769) White to move
54.Be4+ forks the Black King and Rook
From the game Tim Brennan (1695) –
Cory Foster (1599), Pikes Peak Open,
Round 4, Colorado Springs, CO, August
3, 2008,
(770) Black to move
15...Qxf3 Black’s Queen was attacked
from the White Knight. After 16. gxf3
Nxc5 and Black is up a piece.
Missed in the game rockatansky (1428) –
petronus (1168), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(771) White to move
30.Qxf8+!! got a well-deserved double
exclam from Deep Rybka 4.1. 30…Kxf8
31. Re8# a good mating pattern to know.
From the game Blacktop (1468) – Drstefi
(1445), ICC 5 3 Internet Chess Club, June
15, 2010
(772) Black to move
17...Qg4#
Variation from the game Kenneth Carabba
(964) – Pete Short (1517), Reggie Boone
Memorial Open, Round 5, February 11,
2009
(773) White to move
22.Bg4 pins the Black Queen to the King
From the game Kenneth Carabba (964) –
Pete Short (1517), Reggie Boone
Memorial Open, Round 5, February 11,
2009
(774) Black to move
15...Qxa5 grabs a piece that is attacked
twice, and defended once.
From the game Dean Brown (1542) – Tim
Brennan (1706), Loveland Open, Round 2,
February 2, 2008,
(775) White to move
16.b3 traps the Black bishop who grabbed
a poison pawn.
Variation from the game Tim Brennan
(1706) – Anthea Carson (1667), Loveland
Open, Round 3, February 2, 2008
(776) Black to move
42...Qxh3#
Variation from the game jecidi (1661) –
Red House (1631), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(777) Black to move
41...Na3 forks the Queen and Rook
From the game Tim Brennan (1706) –
Frank Deming (1754), Loveland Open,
Round 4, February 2, 2008
(778) Black to move
17...Rh8 skewers the Queen and Knight
18. Qg7 Rxh5
Variation from the game Tyler Hughes
(2245) – Tim Brennan (1712), Boulder
Winter Grand Prix, Round 2, January 26,
2008
(779) Black to move
16...Nxd5
White thought they had a discovered
attack, winning a pawn with 16. Nxd5??
but 16…Nxd5 captures the Knight,
protecting the Black Bishop on b4.
From the game Francisco Baltier Jr
(1588) - Jacquelyn De la Sa (1445),
Tucson Open, Round 1, January 23, 2009
(780) White to move
28.Qd4+ and black will have to give up
the Knight to get out of check 28…Nf6 29.
Qxf6
From the game Francisco Baltier Jr
(1588) – Jonathan Boother (1447), Tucson
Open, Round 5, January 25, 2009
(781) Black to move
28...Rxd1 29. Rxd1 Bxf3+ forks the King
and Rook. Starting off with 28…Bxf3+
works also.
From the game jecidi (1661) – porygon
(1958), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(782) White to move
8.Qxg7 taking a pawn, threatening the
Black Rook on h8, and check on f7. Black
has no good way to deal with all these
problems.
From the game jecidi (1661) – friis76
(1349), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(783) White to move
28.Rxe7 takes the bishop, and deflects the
Black Queen from the defense of the Rook
on g4. 28…Qxe7 29. Qxg4
From the game Francisco Baltier Jr.
(1525) – George Kline (1252), 2007
Foothills Open, Round 1, December 15,
2007
(784) White to move
18.Bxf8 White has several reasonable
moves to consider, but taking the Rook is
best, because it also attacks the Queen.
18…Kxf8 19. Qxd3, and White is up a
Rook.
Variation from the game Justin Arnold
(1132) – Francisco Baltier (1525), 2007
Foothills Open, Round 2, December 15,
2007
(785) Black to move
16...Bf5 a surprising move that punishes
the early development of the White
Queen. There are no good squares for the
Queen. Black is threatening 17…g6
trapping the Queen. If 17. Qf3 Be4
skewers the Queen and Rook.
Missed in the game Hunter Brogna (1377)
– Francisco Baltier (1525), 2007
Foothills Open, Round 4, December 15,
2007
(786) Black to move
10...Qxe5 Black played a useful forking
check on the previous move, and collects
his winnings here. This is a good pattern
to know.
From the game Jonathan Jorgensen (903) –
Aaron Rubi (869), 1998 Winter Springs
Open, Round 1, December 5, 1998
(787) Black to move
22...Rg2+ 23. Kh1 Qxh3 is a nice mate in
two.
From the game Elchoma (1533) –
Zonagrad (1383), FICS, February 25,
2011
(788) White to move
5.Nxf7 a common tactic in the Fried Liver
Attack, winning a pawn, and forking the
Black Queen and Rook.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Knights_
From the game Giuseppe (824) – Wms
(1068), May 2009 Banded Hardcore
Grand 0-1150, Round 1, May 10, 2009
(789) Black to move
14...Bb4+ leads to a surprising opening
checkmate.
15.Nc3 Bxc3+ 16.Bd2 Qxd2+ 17.Kf1
Bh3+ 18.Kg1 Qg5#
or
15.Kf1 Bh3+ 16.Kg1 Qd1#
Missed in the game Giuseppe (824) –
Wms (1068), May 2009 Banded Hardcore
Grand 0-1150, Round 1, May 10, 2009
(790) White to move
34.Rd7#
From the game G Atri (738) – Unicorn
(881), January 2008 Long Haul III, Round
1, redhotpawn.com, January 11, 2008,
(791) White to move
7.Bg5 traps the Black Queen
Missed in the game Giuseppe Grano (824)
– Buttheadjw (965), November 2007 Long
Haul Banded 0-1200, Round 1, November
30, 2007
(792) White to move
15.Ng4+ Wins the Queen with a
discovered check
Variation from the game rockatansky
(1428) – petronus (1168),
redhotpawn.com 2012 Championship,
Round 1, February 1, 2012
(793) Black to move
7...Bxa3 8. Nxa3 Qa5+ wins a piece for
Black.
From the game rockatansky (1428) –
rookguy (1606), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(794) White to move
24.hxg6 wins one of Black’s tripled
isolated pawns, with the threat Qh7#.
24…Nf6 is the best defense, but allows
25. Bxe6+ and Black loses major
material. The actual game continued 24…
Rf6 25. Qh7+ Kf8 26. Qh8#
From the game Timmybx (1611) –
Zonagrad (1763), Challenge,
redhotpawn.com, February 23, 2008.
(795) Black to move
9...Nxf3+ clearance allowing 10. Bxf3
Qxf4
Missed in the game rockantansky (1428) –
Thys (1368), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(796) White to move
33.Rc6#
Missed in the game G. Atri (734) –
Harazd (1154), November 2007 Long
Haul VIII, Round 1, November 29, 2007
(797) White to move
42.Nd4+ forks the King and e pawn that
was about to Queen.
Variation from the game Counterpoint
(1708) – G Atri, November 2007, Long
Haul Banded 1500+, redhotpawn.com,
Round 1, December 3, 2007
(798) Black to move
23...Ne2+ forks the White King and Queen
From the game Mrbobs (1297) – rookguy
(1606), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(799) White to move
11.c5 forks the Black Bishop and Knight
From the game Thys (1368) – Startreader
(995), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(800) White to move
30.Be4 pins the Black Rook to the King,
allowing White to trade down to an easy
endgame.
From the game Arnoud (2343) – friis76
(1349), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(801) White to move
51.Qe8 pins and adds a second attacker to
the Black Bishop on e7, and threatens the
move 52. Rxe7+ winning a piece, and
forking the Black King and Queen.
If 51…Kf6 52. Bb4 skewering the Rook
and adding an Xray attacker to the Bishop
on e7.
Missed in the game jecidi (1661) – Red
House (1631), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012.
(802) Black to move
31...e4 attacks the pinned bishop, 32. dxe4
dxe4 and black will win the pinned piece.
From the game Sreeker Bommireddy
(1461) – Francisco Baltier Jr. (1540),
2009 Eastside Chess Club Championship,
Round 1, Tucson, AZ, February 4, 2009
(803) Black to move
18...Nxg4+ wins a pawn (the f pawn is
pinned), and the knight now attacks the
weak e3 pawn, which cannot be defended
after the White King gets out of check.
From the game Thys (1368) – brit
commando (1476), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(804) Black to move
20...d4 attacks the White Queen, and
threatens mate with Qg2# White cannot
stop the mate.
From the game Itsyouthatiadore (2098) –
Timmybx (1628), redhotpawn.com, June
2009 Octet II, Round 1, June 2, 2009,
(805) White to move
27.Bxh6 discovered attack on the Black
Queen with the threat Qxg7#. Black will
lose the Queen or be mated.
From the game Thys (1368) – rookguy
(1606), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(806) White to move
26.bxc6!! got a double exclam from Deep
Rybka. This move removes the defender
of the Black Bishop on d8, and discovers
an attack on the Black rook on b8. White
is threatening a back rank mate, and wins
a piece. Black cannot save the Rook, and
protect the Bishop.
Variation from the game porygon (1958) –
friis76 (1349), 2012 Championship,
Round 1, February 1, 2012
(807) White to move
24.Ra8+ Nb8 25. Bxb7#
Variation from the game porygon (1958) –
schlammblut(1272), 2012 Championship,
Round 1, February 1, 2012
(808) Black to move
29...Nxe4 takes a piece with a discovered
attack on the rook on b2. White cannot
recapture and save the rook at the same
time.
From the game porygon (1958) –
Inspector5251 (1321), 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(809) White to move
39.b7 and the b pawn cannot be stopped
from Queening
From the game porygon (1958) –
Inspector5251 (1321), 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(810) White to move
27.Bxd4 wins a pawn, and pins the Black
Bishop to the Black King, preventing
Bxd6, 27…Bxd4 Qxd4 and White goes
into an winning endgame.
From the game porygon (1958) –
Inspector5251 (1321), 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(811) Black to move
20...Qh2+ 21. Kf1 Qh1#
Variation from the game Skylane (918) –
Floyd4219 (1062), Aug 06 Mini Banded
Threesomes 1050-1100, Round 1,
September 18, 2006
(812) White to move
9.Qxh7# a common mating pattern seen in
scholastic games.
Variation from the game Chandler
Matthew Meinders (412) – Devon Wall
(717), 2011 Colorado State Scholastic
Championship, Round 3, February 19,
2011.
(813) Black to move
29...Qc1#
Variation from the game Brendon Barela
(1675) – Derek Austin Fish (1200),
USAFA Quads 2009
(814) White to move
28.Qd8+
(815) White to move
15.Nxe6
(816) White to move
17.Bxh7+
(817) White to move
18.Qxe6+
(818) White to move
7.Qd5
(819) White to move
13.Ne5
(820) White to move
23.Qxa6#
From the game Francisco Baltier Jr.
(1559) - Jacob Van de Leeuw (1310),
2011 Tucson Open, AZ, Round 3, January
22, 2011
(821) White to move
37.Rxf4 removes the defender of the
Black Bishop on d4, 37…exf4 38. Rxd4
and White wins a Bishop and Knight for a
Rook.
From the game Von A. Motschenbacher
(1712) – Francisco Baltier Jr., 2011
Tucson Open, AZ, Round 4, January 23,
2011
(822) White to move
18.Rxf6
(823) White to move
27.f6+
(824) Black to move
8...Qh4
(825) Black to move
14...Bd4+ forks the White King and
Queen.
From the game Zonagrad (1297) –
Hardomil (1183), Blitz 5’ FICS blitz,
October 9, 2008
(826) Black to move
9...Qxb2
(827) White to move
10.a5 cutting off the only escape square
for the Black Queen. White can trap the
Queen on the next move with 11. Ra4
From the game Yakov Shereshevsky
(1081) – Anthea Carson, ICC 5 0 Internet
Chess Club, January 23, 2008
(828) Black to move
23...Bxb2 forks the White Rooks
From the game Yakov Shereshevsky
(1081) – Anthea Carson, ICC 5 0 Internet
Chess Club, January 23, 2008
(829) Black to move
23...Ne3+
(830) White to move
27.Be3+
(831) White to move
31.Rh7+
(832) White to move
23.Re6#
From the game junnujannu (1838) –
beatlemania (1709), RHPIC 02/2009,
1400-1700 banded, Round 1, March 26,
2009
(833) Black to move
11...Rxg2
(834) White to move
34.Ne6+
(835) White to move
9.Ba3+
(836) Black to move
31...Nf3+ Black sacrificed a rook on h2
on the previous move to set up 31…Nf3+
double discovered check 32. Kh3 Rh8+
33. Kg4 Nh2# A beautiful come from
behind victory!
From the game The Temptress (1129) –
Redwoodpete (1493), challenge,
redhotpawn.com, November 1, 2009
(837) White to move
12.Ne5 threatens the weak doubled pawn
on c6, and sets up a sneaky plan to trap the
Black Bishop on g4 with h3, g4, f5, etc.
From the game Shannon Fox (1722) –
Billy Willson (1872), Denver Chess Club
Championship, Round 2, January 14,
2009.
(838) White to move
24.fxe6 wins a pawn and if 24…fxe6??
25. Bxe6+ forks the Black King and Rook
on c8.
From the game Zonagrad (1656) –
Farnaby (1892), January 2009 Grand
Three Seven, Round 1, January 4, 2009
(839) Black to move
26...Qd5 and mate on g2 cannot be
stopped.
Variation from the game Zonagrad (1656)
– Farnaby (1892), January 2009 Grand
Three Seven, Round 1, January 4, 2009
(840) White to move
12.d4 attacks the Black Bishop on c5, and
discovers an attack on the Black Queen on
g5.
From the game friis76 (1349) –
schlammblut (1272), redhotpawn.com
2012 Championship, Round 1, February 1,
2012
(841) Black to move
19...e4 forks the Queen and Knight
Missed in the game friis76 (1349) –
ChessFM (2139), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(842) White to move
9.dxe5 threatens the misplaced Black
Bishop on d6, and clears the way for Qd5
threatening mate on f7. Sample line: 9…
Nxe5 10. Nxe5 Bxe5 11. Qd5 forks the
Rook on a8 and f7 pawn.
Missed in the game ChessFM (2139) friis76 (1349), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(843) Black to move
32...Qh3 and mate with 33…Qg2# the
next move.
Variation from the game Tim Brennan
(1664) – Alejandro Torres (1643), Poor
Richards, Colorado Springs, CO, Round 2
September 10, 2008,
(844) Black to move
23...Bd4+ 24. Ke1 Qxc1# wins the Queen
with checkmate
Missed in the game invigorate (1103) spats (1631), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(845) White to move
25.Rxe7!! deflects the Black Queen from
protection of the Rook on b8, winning a
critical pawn, and laying the groundwork
for more tactical traps. If the Queen
moves, White follows up with the killer
26. Nxe6+ and if 25…Qxe7 26. Qxb8
Qd8 27. Qxd6+ forking the Black King
and Knight.
From the game Aron Susuras (1680) –
Shannon Fox (1596), Denver Chess Club,
Round 3, September, 21, 2008
(846) Black to move
6...Qxg2 with a variation on the
Blackburne Shilling Gambit. This move
ignores the hanging Knight on e5, takes the
g2 pawn, threatening mate. Saving the
rook with 7. Rf1 leads to mate with 7…
Qxe4 8. Qe2 Qxe2# This is a good
opening trap to know.
From the game Jsf80238 (1505) –
Zonagrad (1620), Open invite,
redhotpawn.com, May 28, 2008.
(847) White to move
34.Rxg6+ storming the barricades.
If 34...Qg7 35.Qxg7#
If 34...hxg6 35.Qxg6+ Qg7 36.Qxg7#
If 34...Kf7 35.Rg7+ skewers the Black
King and Queen
From the game Shawn Svare (1597) –
Chris Mink (1961), 1999 Colorado Open,
Round 3 Denver, CO, September 5, 1999
(848) Black to move
18...Qxd2 takes a piece that is defended
once and attacked twice. Nothing tricky,
but this was missed in the game, and
Black played Qd3?? instead.
Missed in the game Cathalhnally (1625) –
Zonagrad (2053), Open Invite,
redhotpawn.com, March 19, 2008
(849) White to move
11.b4 attacks the pinned knight
From the game mikenay (1898) – tcvegas
(1457), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(850) White to move
54.Rxd5 wins a pawn, and if 54…Bxd5
55. Kxd5 trades down into an easily won
endgame.
From the game Francisco Baltier Jr
(1521) – Daniel Katzel (1841), 2008 East
Side Chess Club Championship, Tucson,
AZ, Round 2, February 13, 2008
(851) White to move
9.dxe5 attacks the Black Queen on f6, and
discovers and attack on the Black Knight
on b6. Black cannot save both at the same
time.
From the game c antunes (1911) –
petronus (1168), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(852) Black to move
33...Rxg5 gets black out of check, and
after 34. Bxg5 (or 34. Rxg5) black can
play 34…Rd1+!! With a discovered
attack on the White Queen on c6 allowing
35…Qxc6.
From the game John Wright (1773) Francisco Baltier Jr (1521), 2008 East
Side Chess Club Championship, Tucson,
AZ, Round 3, February 20, 2008
(853) Black to move
19...Qe3 and White cannot stop the mate
threats of Qf2# and Ng3#
Missed in the game Startreader (955) –
jcozec (1974), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(854) Black to move
11...b5 traps the White Bishop
From the game Startreader (955) – jcozec
(1974), redhotpawn.com 2012
Championship, Round 1, February 1, 2012
(855) Black to move
38...Re1# a back rank mate
Variation from the game Joshua Higa
(1522) – Tim Brennan (1729), Winter
Springs Open, Colorado Springs, CO,
Round 1, December 1, 2007
(856) White to move
11.Nf5+
(857) Black to move
17...Nxe2+
(858) White to move
18.Bxc6
(859) White to move
33.Qg6+
(860) White to move
45.Qd4
(861) Black to move
21...Rxd5
(862) White to move
30.Rxf6
(863) White to move
14.Bxg6+
(864) White to move
17.Rf7+
(865) White to move
22.Nb5#
(866) Black to move
27...Nf3+
(867) White to move
37.Rc1
(868) White to move
30.Rd1
(869) White to move
25.Re8+
(870) Black to move
40...Re2
(871) White to move
18.Nf4
(872) Black to move
24...Qg1+
(873) White to move
24.Qxe5+
(874) White to move
52.Rg8#
(875) White to move
11.Bxh7+
(876) Black to move
31...Bh2+
(877) Black to move
7...Nxf2
(878) White to move
31.Qe5+
(879) Black to move
34...fxe6
(880) Black to move
13...Nxd5
(881) Black to move
18...Rxb2
(882) White to move
23.Bxg7+
(883) Black to move
17...Qe1+
(884) White to move
16.Re7
(885) White to move
12.Qxg5+
(886) Black to move
27...Bxe3+
(887) Black to move
13...Bg4
(888) Black to move
24...Nh7
(889) Black to move
15...Qh4+
(890) Black to move
48...Kg4
(891) White to move
22.Ng5
(892) Black to move
43...Rxf2+
(893) Black to move
26...Rb2#
(894) Black to move
6...hxg4
(895) White to move
22.Qg6
(896) White to move
11.Qxg4
(897) Black to move
11...Bg4+
(898) White to move
14.f6
(899) White to move
13.Ne5+
(900) White to move
29.Bxb4
(901) White to move
44.Ne7+
(902) Black to move
34...b6
(903) Black to move
29...Kg6
(904) Black to move
28...Qa1#
(905) Black to move
16...Nxd2
(906) Black to move
20...Bxh2+
(907) Black to move
40...Bd4+
(908) Black to move
43...Ra1
(909) White to move
23.Qh6
(910) White to move
27.Nxh6
(911) White to move
12.Bxd4
(912) White to move
43.Ke3
(913) White to move
38.Nxd6+
(914) White to move
41.Qxh6
(915) Black to move
17...Qc5+
(916) White to move
22.Rh3+
(917) White to move
19.Bxd5+
(918) Black to move
6...Nxe4
(919) Black to move
21...Nd4
(920) Black to move
38...Re1+
(921) Black to move
32...gxf4+
(922) White to move
43.Be1#
(923) Black to move
32...Ne2+!! forks the White King and
Queen, and threatens a back rank mate
with Rxd1.
From the game George Smith (1413) –
Edgar Reyes (1809), White Knights
Tournament, Round 1, Reno, NV, January
9, 2003
(924) Black to move
41...dxc4
(925) White to move
17.Nxg5+
(926) Black to move
11...g3
(927) White to move
26.Qxd7
(928) Black to move
36...Ra1
(929) White to move
10.Bxe7
(930) White to move
11.Nxe7+
(931) White to move
29.Rxd7
(932) White to move
20.Nxd8
(933) Black to move
16...Bxa4
(934) White to move
33.Qa8+
(935) White to move
15.Bg5
(936) Black to move
21...Qxh3+
(937) White to move
22.Bxf5#
(938) White to move
13.Qf7#
(939) White to move
9.Nxe5
(940) White to move
28.Be6#
(941) Black to move
11...Bg5
(942) Black to move
37...R8a3+
(943) Black to move
38...Rf3#
(944) White to move
17.gxh4
(945) Black to move
47...Ne3+
(946) White to move
13.Bxg8
(947) White to move
19.Re8#
(948) White to move
31.Re8+
(949) White to move
30.R1e6
(950) White to move
46.Qf6+
(951) Black to move
8...Qxa4
(952) White to move
23.Rxe7+
(953) White to move
6.dxe5
(954) Black to move
21...Ng3+
(955) Black to move
24...Nxa2#
(956) White to move
6.Bb5+
(957) Black to move
25...Nh3+
(958) White to move
9.Bxd4
(959) Black to move
10...Nf3#
(960) Black to move
23...Nh3#
(961) Black to move
15...Ng4
(962) White to move
4.Bb5
(963) Black to move
15...Rg8+
(964) Black to move
12...Nxd4
(965) Black to move
10...Bb4+
(966) Black to move
12...Qxe4+
(967) Black to move
11...Nxc2+
(968) Black to move
22...Qxc1
(969) Black to move
23...Re1+
(970) Black to move
23...Qxf1+
(971) Black to move
30...Qc6
(972) Black to move
5...Qxd1+
(973) Black to move
24...d4+
(974) Black to move
9...Bxd3
(975) White to move
17.Qg7#
(976) Black to move
18...f4
(977) Black to move
5...Qh4+
(978) White to move
47.Rd6+
(979) White to move
21.Rc8+
(980) Black to move
29...Nd2#
(981) White to move
17.Qh5
(982) White to move
5.dxe5
(983) Black to move
23...Qxf2+
(984) White to move
41.Rh1
(985) White to move
59.Kf3
(986) White to move
22.Rxb6
(987) Black to move
24...Bd5
(988) White to move
41.f5
(989) Black to move
32...Rb1+
(990) Black to move
16...c4
(991) Black to move
24...Qxg2#
(992) White to move
24.Rxe4
(993) Black to move
14...Bxd8
(994) White to move
4.Qh5#
(995) Black to move
8...f3#
From the game Luck (1417) – Mutt N Stu
(1628), King’s Gambit (Thematic
Tournament) III, Round 1, July 3, 2008.
(996) Black to move
15...Bxe2
(997) White to move
22.Bxf6
(998) Black to move
18...Bxc3
(999) Black to move
37...f5+
(1000) White to move
34.a5
(1001) White to move
38.Qh8+
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